Enbridge Ride To Conquer Cancer raised over $1 Million for annual Epic Impact Day

Communities of survivors, cyclists & supporters unite with a common goal to conquer cancer and surge Ride donations across Canada

TORONTO, Feb. 15, 2012 /CNW/ - The Enbridge Ride To Conquer Cancer broke fundraising records raising over $1M as part of its annual Epic Impact Day effort, which mobilizes powerful communities of survivors, cyclists & their supporters to secure at least one donation on the day across Canada.

In addition to phone calls and outreach efforts, the grassroots campaign included eleven regional & National Twitter Town Hall discussions as Alberta, British Columbia & Ontario Ride Twitter pages conversed real time with influential people and brands who support The Ride.  Notable participants included: Bret "The Hitman" Hart, CBC reporter Amanda Lang, Senior Principle at KPMG Peter Heimler, and leaders from Steam Whistle and Norco Bicycles.

"We are absolutely thrilled by the response all across Canada for this year's Epic Impact Day," said Paul Alofs, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.

"This is a great example of digital innovation in social profit fundraising," he added. 

Teams of fundraising and training coaches known as "Ride Guides" conducted a massive telephone outreach campaign in the days leading up to and on Epic Impact Day, which took place on February 8^th of this year.

"A special thank you to everyone who donated today as well as those who participated in the Epic Impact Day Town Halls," said Doug Nelson, CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation, beneficiary of The BC Ride. 

"Over one million dollars raised across Canada greatly impacts our efforts to end cancer.  We couldn't be happier," he added.

All donations to The Ride are put to use supporting personalized cancer medicine, research & care, which leads to treatments and helps save lives.

"In three years, The Ride To Conquer Cancer has become the top cycling fundraising event in Canada thanks to the passion, dedication and innovation from Canada's community of survivors, Riders and their supporters" said Myka Osinchuk, CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation, beneficiary of The Alberta Ride. 

"We invite everyone to join us in Alberta as well as Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto for this year's Rides," she added.

The Ride To Conquer Cancer is a historic, two-day cycling event through pristine regions of Canada, which bring together communities of survivors, Riders and supporters for one common goal: to conquer cancer.

To make a donation, register or learn more about The Ride, call 866 996.8356 (Montreal), 877.699.2453 (Toronto), 888.624.2453 (Alberta), 888.771.2453 (Vancouver) or visit http://www.conquercancer.ca.

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About The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital brings together an elite team of cancer researchers, scientists, clinicians and staff dedicated to the ultimate goal of conquering cancer by leveraging basic, translational and clinical research into dramatic cancer breakthroughs. For more information, go to www.campbellfamilyinstitute.ca

About Princess Margaret Hospital Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute, have achieved an international reputation as global leaders in the fight against cancer and delivering personalized cancer medicine. Princess Margaret Hospital, one of the top five cancer research centres in the world, is a member of the University Health Network, which also includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. All are research hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto. More information about UHN can be found at www.uhn.ca.

About The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation
he Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation at University Health Network raises funds for personalized cancer medicine at Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute, which now includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and The Campbell Family Breast Cancer Research Institute. More information about The Foundation can be found at www.pmhf.ca.

About the BC Cancer Foundation
The BC Cancer Foundation (www.bccancerfoundation.com) is the bridge that connects philanthropic support and research breakthroughs in cancer knowledge. As the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest charitable funder of cancer research in this province, we enable donors to make contributions to leading-edge research that has a direct impact on improvements to cancer care for patients in British Columbia. We fund with the goal of finding solutions. As an independent charitable organization, we raise funds exclusively for the BC Cancer Agency that support innovative cancer research and compassionate enhancements to patient care.

About the Alberta Cancer Foundation
The Alberta Cancer Foundation is Alberta's own. It was established to advance cancer research province-wide and to directly support Alberta's 17 cancer centres, including the Cross Cancer Institute and Tom Baker Cancer Centre. At the Alberta Cancer Foundation, we act on the knowledge that a cancer-free future is achievable and that when we get there depends on the focus and energy we put to it today. Visit www.albertacancer.ca for more information.

About the Jewish General Hospital
Since 1934, the Jewish General Hospital has been a mainstay of superior medical care for generations of patients of all backgrounds. One of Quebec's largest and busiest acute-care hospitals, the JGH is committed to improving the quality of healthcare for all Quebecers in partnership with the provincial healthcare network. The Jewish General Hospital has redoubled its commitment providing patients the best possible care in a clean, safe and human-centered environment. The JGH is able to deliver these pioneering, innovative medical services by strengthening its role as a McGill University teaching hospital, by expanding and upgrading its facilities, and by pursuing cutting-edge research at the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research. Visit www.jgh.ca for more information.

(ONTARIO)
Ailish Steele
RTCC Communications Coordinator
416.577.9255
astee[email protected]

(ALBERTA & BC)
Borjana Slipicevic
RTCC Communications Coordinator
778.233.9255
bslipicev[email protected]

(MONTREAL)
Jackson Wightman
RTCC Communications
514.605.9255
jwightma[email protected]