Do like Marie-Andrée from Laval: purchase your very own "ortho-sticker" today to help kids walk!

MONTREAL, April 14, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Esso Marché Express launches a fundraising campaign to "help kids walk". The campaign takes place until May 15^th at 76 participating Esso retailers located in Québec (Montreal metropolitan area, north shore, south shore and Québec city area).  The goal is to raise $50,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada through donations and the sale of special "ortho-stickers". The funds will go towards the purchase of specialized rehabilitation equipment for the new hospital in Montreal, helping kids to learn to walk. Today, the hospital released a video of a young patient Marie-Andrée from Laval, who is one of the very first to purchase an "ortho-sticker".

"We are so proud to partner with the Shriners fraternity and their members from both Ottawa (Tunis Shriners) and the province of Quebec (Karnak Shriners) to support such a good cause – our very own Shriners Hospital for Children in Montreal" says Jennifer Viscosi, Territory Manager at Esso Marché Express.  "Our retailers and their teams have embraced the cause of helping kids walk! There is a competition going on for the top fundraising retailer in Quebec, the one that will raise the most funds for Canada Shriners Hospital in Montreal " she added.

How to make a donation
Donations can be made at participating Esso retailers either at the donation boxes located at the cash register or with the purchase of an "ortho-sticker". 100% of the funds collected will go to the hospital, for a list of participating stations in Quebec click here.

8 year-old Marie-Andrée is helping other kids to walk!
A patient from the tender age of two and a half months, Marie-Andrée has been treated for osteogenesis imperfecta (or brittle bone disease). Marie-Andrée benefitted from treatments developed at the hospital and now used world-wide, including an intravenous drug and special telescopic rods to reinforce and solidify her bones. In her case, she required intensive rehabilitation, orthopaedic apparatus' and tibial orthotics. Without these specialized treatments, she would have never been able to stand or even walk, as her bones were too fragile to support her body. Have a look at Marie-Andrée as she pedals towards her local Esso Station: click here.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children^®- Canada
Located in Montreal since 1925, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada is a bilingual, short term, acute care centre providing pediatric orthopaedic ultraspecialized care for complex disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), severe spinal and limb anomalies, reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. Children from Quebec and across Canada, the U.S. and around the world have benefited from the hospital's ground-breaking research and innovative treatments, both in Montreal and in their own communities. This fall, the hospital will be moving to a brand new $127 million facility on the Glen site.

Note to media:
To speak with a hospital patient and a representative from your local Esso retailer, contact the hospital's public relations department.

SOURCE Shriners Hospitals For Children

Emmanuelle Rondeau, Communications & Marketing Manager, Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada, [email protected], T 514-282-6990 / C 514-207-1057; Gemma Bélanger, Information Officer, Public Relations, Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada, [email protected], T 514-282-7222 / C 514-207-2267