A&W Rendez-vous to end MS: On Thursday, August 23, join the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada in the fight against MS

For each Teen Burger^TM sold in Canada, $1 will be given to the MS Society

MONTREAL, Aug. 20, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - For a fourth consecutive year, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada invites Quebecers to join the fight against MS as part of its annual fundraising and awareness event, in collaboration with A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. (TSE: AW.UN).

How can I contribute?

Exclusively on Thursday, August 23, for each Teen Burger sold across the country, one dollar will be donated to help fight MS. The A&W Rendez-vous event will also feature several fundraising activities in participating restaurants, including games, raffles, prizes and even personal appearances by the Great Root Bear himself!

Furthermore, until August 23:

• send a tweet using keyword #CruisinForaCause or #RendezVousSP and A&W will donate $0.50 to the MS Society of Canada;
• for each confirmation of attendance on the Rendez-vous A&W pour stopper la SP Facebook page, A&W will donate $0.50 to the MS Society of Canada;
• make a donation at cruisinforacause2012.ca;
• purchase a paper cutouts for $1 or drop your contribution in the donation box at any A&W location.

"The A&W Rendez-vous to end MS campaign greatly contributes to financing ongoing MS cause and treatment research, as well as services offered to Canadians suffering from this illness, which is diagnosed in three Canadians per day, explains Yves Savoie, President and CEO, MS Society of Canada. We are very grateful toward all donors, as well as A&W guests and employees, for the active role they play year after year to ensure that this important fundraising event is a resounding success."

Canada posts one of the world's highest multiple sclerosis incidence rates. Indeed, an estimated one out of every two Canadians knows someone suffering from MS, and approximately 50,000 to 75,000 Canadians are currently fighting this disease. Of this figure, nearly 20,000 live in Québec. While the cause of this often debilitating illness remains unknown, researchers are getting closer to a solution. The MS Society of Canada, the foremost organization in MS research, funds services to those suffering from MS and their families.

"In three years, A&W guests, employees and franchisees have raised over two million dollars to help fight MS, said Paul Hollands, President and CEO, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. We're thrilled by this success and invite everyone to help make this incredible feat a reality by participating in the A&W Rendez-vous to end MS on August 23."

About multiple sclerosis and the MS Society of Canada
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease. Please visit mssociety.ca or call 1 800 268-7582 to make a donation or for more information.

A&W Food Service of Canada Inc. is a purely Canadian company and one of the most recognized brands within the Canadian food service industry. A&W is the country's second largest hamburger restaurant chains, operating 730 locations across Canada. A&W restaurants offer their famous menu, which includes the Burger Family^TM, Chubby Chicken^TM and A&W Root Beer^TM. For more information, please visit www.aw.ca.

SOURCE: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

To obtain more information or schedule an interview with spokespersons from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Québec Division, or A&W, please contact:

Maude Bolduc
Massy Forget Langlois Public Relations
[email protected]
T.: 514 842-2455, ext. 28 / C.: 514 743-6248

Marie-Eve Ouellet
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Québec Division
[email protected]
T.: 514 849-7591, ext. 245 / C.: 514 451-0980