Give for your liver

LCBO stores raise funds for Canadian Liver Foundation

TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - If your body was a car, your liver would be the engine.Your car can't run without an engine and neither can your body - and replacements for this vital organ can be hard to come by. That's why the Canadian Liver Foundation is partnering with the LCBO this fall to help raise funds for liver transplant research to benefit Ontarians of all ages living with liver disease that may one day need, or are already waiting for, transplants.

Starting September 15, the public can support the Canadian Liver Foundation by making a donation at any of the 635 LCBO stores throughout Ontario. Donation boxes for the Canadian Liver Foundation will be displayed at LCBO checkout counters until October 12.

"Many people still believe that all liver disease is connected to excessive use of alcohol but in fact there are over 100 forms of liver disease that strike people of all ages," says Gary Fagan, President of the Canadian Liver Foundation. "Liver transplants are often the only hope for liver disease patients and research can help us make sure that every transplant is successful."

In Ontario, about 200 liver transplants each year are performed on patients ranging in age from infants to adults. Through its chapters across the country, the Canadian Liver Foundation raises funds to promote liver health, improve public awareness and understanding of liver disease, fund liver research and provide support to those coping with liver disease.

"Until we are able to prevent or cure all liver diseases, liver transplants will continue to be necessary to save lives," says Mr. Fagan. "We are grateful to the LCBO, its employees and especially its customers for their support of the Canadian Liver Foundation and liver transplant research."

"As a good neighbour, LCBO is pleased to partner with the Canadian Liver Foundation and support this worthy cause," says LCBO President & CEO Bob Peter. "Through the generosity of LCBO customers and staff, we help improve the lives of countless Ontarians and make a difference where we live and work."

The Canadian Liver Foundation is one of 28 provincial, as well as numerous local charities, that will benefit from LCBO's province-wide donation box program in 2013. In 2012, LCBO raised a total of more than $6.6 million for charities through special programs and initiatives, of which $6.1 million was raised through in-store fundraising. In addition, LCBO's annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totaled $1.7 billion in fiscal 2012-13, excluding taxes, supports a wide range of important government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education.

The Canadian Liver Foundation thanks the public for its support when shopping at their local LCBO store from September 15 to October 12.

To learn more about liver disease, liver transplants or the work of the Foundation, visit www.liver.ca

SOURCE: Canadian Liver Foundation

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Melanie Kearns, Canadian Liver Foundation, Tel: [phone]; E-mail: [email protected]

Stephanie Petroff, LCBO Senior Communications Consultant, Tel: [phone]; E-mail: [email protected]