CANADA'S ALL-FEMALE CONVOY HITS THE ROAD THIS WEEKEND IN CORNWALL

Ottawa-based truck driver raises thousands in support of breast cancer research 

CORNWALL, ON, Oct. 22 /CNW/ -The world's original all-female truck convoy is getting ready to roll in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.    

On Saturday, October 23, 2010 over 100 trucks will be participating in Convoy for a Cure, a unique initiative that is raising money for breast cancer research.      

It all started as Ottawa's Rachèle Champagne was driving down Highway 401 with a couple female drivers when the idea for a women-only convoy came to her. She realized that if this was going to come together, it had to be for a good cause.     

With breast cancer affecting about 23,400 women in Canada this year, Champagne knew this was the cause to get behind.     

Since its inception in 2008, Convoy for a Cure has become a national and international fundraiser. Convoys have been taking place across Canada, in Edmonton, Alberta, Moncton, New Brunswick, two locations in Ontario - East (Cornwall) and West (Windsor) and as far away as Dallas, Texas. Last year, between four convoys, $93,000 was raised for the cause. The original convoy in Cornwall had over 40 female truck drivers participating.

Now in its third year, with male and female drivers participating, the number of participants is expected to double and the amount raised to continue to rise as they rev up awareness of this important cause.     

Starting at the Fifth Wheel Truck Stop in Cornwall at 8 am, with a free breakfast for the participants, the participants will decorate their big rigs with pink flare. The Convoy will then head west on Hwy 401 at 12 noon to the 730 Truck Stop in Cardinal where the event will continue with a BBQ, live band,  a special guest speaker, great prizes and many fun activities for the whole family.

This year everyone will have the chance to participate in the Convoy! Individuals who make a minimum donation of $10 will be able to ride along with the Convoy in buses. Eight breast cancer survivors will be traveling in style in limousines.     

We invite you to watch as they hit the road on Saturday, October 23, 2010, for an exciting 62Km Convoy.  Funds raised by Convoy for a Cure will enable the Foundation to invest in advocacy, education and research that is timely, relevant and patient-centered. The support of people like Rachèle Champagne and her participating drivers are helping to create a future without breast cancer.

Please join us at Convoy for a Cure on Saturday, October 23, 2010. The event starts at 8 am in Cornwall at the Fifth Wheel Truck Stop (Hwy 401, exit 792). The Convoy will depart at noon on the Hwy 401 heading west to the 730 Truck Stop in Cardinal (Hwy 401, exit 730).

About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Region:

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 1986 as the first organization in the country devoted exclusively to the funding of breast cancer research, education and awareness initiatives. The Foundation continues to blaze new trails in breast cancer and breast health by directing donor dollars to world-class researchers and clinicians who are contributing to groundbreaking progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Since 2000, the Foundation has directed more than $68 million to the cause in Ontario alone as a result of fundraising initiatives like our signature events, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure and Yard Sale for the Cure, hundreds of thousands of donors and the efforts of a committed volunteer network numbering in the thousands. For more information, visit: www.cbcf.org/ontario.

For more information about Convoy for a Cure, visit: http://www.convoyforacure.ca

For further information:

To coordinate an interview with event organizer Rachèle Champagne, or to participate in the event contact: Rachèle Champagne at [phone], or email: [email protected]