Canadians Do it for Dads on Father's Day

13 Communities Set to Increase Awareness of Prostate Cancer this Father's Day

TORONTO, June 12, 2014 /CNW/ - Prostate Cancer Canada and Safeway have launched an in store campaign dedicated to raising funds for cutting edge research and providing support for families living with the disease.  More than $12 million has been raised by Safeway stores across Western Canada and North Western Ontario in the past decade, having a tremendous impact on the prostate cancer cause.

Families across Canada are invited to join Prostate Cancer Canada this Father's Day, Sunday, June 15th, to celebrate the men they love at the Do it for Dads Walk Run, presented by Safeway. This annual event will see residents in 13 cities across the country 'Do it for Dads' as they lace up their running shoes to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. 

"Prostate Cancer Canada and prostate cancer survivors across the country are so grateful to Safeway for helping to increase knowledge of prostate cancer, the most common cancer to affect Canadian men," said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of Prostate Cancer Canada. "Safeway's staff and customers alike have led the success of the Do it for Dads Walk Run across Canada for many years, raising millions of dollars to support research - research that may one day lead to a cure."

In addition to the Do it for Dads Walk Run, Prostate Cancer Canada is partnering with Safeway in Western Canada from June 13-27, 2014. Customers will be invited to make a donation of $2.00 at any Safeway store and in return receive 5 AIR MILES Reward Miles. 

"I look forward to lacing up my shoes and joining close to 1,000 Safeway employees and their families across Western Canada at the Do it for Dads Walk and Run in support of Prostate Cancer Canada," said Chuck Mulvenna, President, Safeway Operations, Sobeys Inc.  "Our support of this important cause will also extend through an in store campaign as we help educate customers about the importance of early detection and treatment." 

In 2013, an estimated 23,600 Canadian men were diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and 4,000 died from it. Funds raised during the Do it for Dads Walk Run and the in-store campaign supports research that will uncover better diagnostic and treatment options and provide support services for those living with the disease.  The survival rate for prostate cancer can be over 90% when detected early.

About Prostate Cancer Canada:  Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to affect Canadian men, impacting one in seven men over the course of their lifetime. Prostate Cancer Canada funds critical programs related to awareness and public education, advocacy, support of those affected, and research into the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of prostate cancer.  For more information visit prostatecancer.ca and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

For more information about this year's event, please visit dotifordads.com/walkrun or follow us on Twitter @SafewayCanada and @ProstateCancerC using the hashtag #DoitforDads.

SOURCE: Prostate Cancer Canada

Jennifer Reed, Prostate Cancer Canada, 416 441 2131 ex.258; Betty Kellsey, Safeway Operations, Sobeys Inc., 403-730-3511