JDRF Campaign to Kick Off May 26, 2010

Olympic Rower Chris Jarvis shares his experiences living and competing with Juvenile Diabetes

TORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada (JDRF) will officially kick off its annual Toronto Ride for Diabetes Research campaign on May 26, 2010, highlighting the need for more funds and research to continue the impressive advancements that have been made in the search for a cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.

The Toronto Ride Kick Off event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26 at the Design Exchange located at 234 Bay Street, Toronto to inspire more corporate teams and individuals to participate in this year's ride at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

After setting records last year, organizers are targeting $2.75 million for this year for Toronto, with the help of over 1,500 corporate teams, primarily from the wealth management, financial services, securities, real estate, hotel and restaurant industry, as well as legal, insurance and accounting firms.

"Building on the momentum of the 2009 ride, we want the Kick Off event to increase awareness about this worthwhile cause, while inspiring more participants and pledges than last year," says Judy Goldring, AGF Management Limited Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel and Co-Chair of this year's Toronto Ride. "It is also an opportunity to hear first-hand about the advances being made to improve those affected by the disease and find out why the Ride means so much to them and their families."

Helping to kick-off the 2010 Ride Campaign will be the following guest speakers:

    
    -   Chris Jarvis, Olympic Rower: He will share his experience as an
        Olympic athlete including the rigorous regime of training and draw a
        parallel with the regiment needed to maintain good glucose levels.
    -   Evan Jackson, JDRF Youth Ambassador: He will give an account of what
        it's like to live with diabetes and how finding a cure would make a
        difference is his life and the lives of other Canadians living with
        the disease.
    -   Judy Goldring, Co-Chair of the Toronto Ride: She will discuss her
        personal connection with this devastating disease and challenge other
        companies in corporate Canada to participate in the ride to raise
        historic amounts.
    

"JDRF's goal is to raise funds to help find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research," Goldring added. "It's through events like the Ride that we get one step closer to this goal."

Type 1 diabetes is a complex disease that affects the lives of over 300,000 Canadians. This year 17 Canadian cities are participating in the Ride, which has a national fundraising target of $6.5 million.

The 2010 Toronto Ride takes place on October 1, 2010 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. To learn more about the JDRF Ride for Research, to register or to pledge a participant go to: http://jdrfca.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1127

Media Advisory and Photo Opportunity

    
    Media are invited to attend the kickoff:

    Wednesday, May 26, 2010
    Design Exchange
    234 Bay Street, Toronto
    11:00 a.m. to Noon

    Photo Opportunity: 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
    

You will have the opportunity to meet children and adults living with type 1 and hear how finding a cure would change their lives.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide. JDRF's mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDRF funding is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes research to date in Canada and around the world. JDRF has raised over $1.4 billion (U.S.) for diabetes research since its inception in 1970, including more than $101 million in 2009. JDRF supports research in over 22 countries globally. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.ca or call 1-877-CURE-533.

For further information: For media inquiries please contact: Jennifer McEvoy, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, [phone], [email protected]; Amanda Marchment, AGF Management Limited, [phone] ext. 2140, [email protected]