LCBO raises funds for the Canadian Cancer Society

TORONTO, April 4, 2016 /CNW/ - Ontarians can help support the Canadian Cancer Society by making a donation to buy a daffodil pin at any of the more than 650 LCBO stores throughout the province. Donation boxes for the Society's annual Daffodil Month fundraising campaign will be displayed at LCBO checkout counters until April 23.

When loved ones are diagnosed with, or pass away from cancer, we often want to do something to help or honour them. The Canadian Cancer Society wants people to know that there is something they can do.

April is Daffodil Month. When people buy a daffodil pin at LCBO stores they are saving lives and helping people who are living with cancer now and in the future. Funds raised during Daffodil Month help patients and their families in communities across Ontario. Daffodil pin sales help to fund life-saving research, support services and other important work that means fewer people will be touched by the disease.

"We are very thankful for the support of LCBO customers and staff during Daffodil Month," says Susan Drodge, Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships for the Canadian Cancer Society in Ontario. "Through this partnership, we are able to raise significant funds for research and community-based support programs, including providing patients with rides to their treatments."

Last year, the charity helped almost 47,000 Ontarians through its support programs. Supporting the Canadian Cancer Society has never been more important. More people will be looking to the organization for help as the number of cancer cases is expected to increase by 40 per cent by 2030 because of Canada's aging and growing population.

"As a socially responsible community-minded retailer, LCBO is pleased to partner with the Canadian Cancer Society and support a variety of worthy causes through the Giving Back In Our Community fundraising program," says LCBO Acting President & CEO George Soleas. "Through the generosity of LCBO customers and the support of our staff, we help improve the lives of countless Ontarians and make a difference in communities across Ontario."

The Canadian Cancer Society is one of 28 provincial and numerous local charities that will benefit from LCBO's province-wide donation box program in 2016. In 2014, LCBO raised a total of more than $9.5 million for charities through special programs and initiatives, of which $8.8 million was raised through in-store fundraising. In addition, LCBO's annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totaled $1.805 billion in fiscal year 2014-15 ending March 31, 2015, excluding taxes, supports a wide range of important government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education.

The Canadian Cancer Society thanks the public for its support when purchasing daffodil pins at their local LCBO store from April 1 - 23, 2016.

SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division)

Image with caption: "The team at the Dupont and Spadina LCBO store in Toronto join Susan Drodge (far left) of the Canadian Cancer Society to kick off Daffodil Month pin sales efforts at the LCBO'’s more than 650 stores across Ontario. (CNW Group/Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160404_C2219_PHOTO_EN_656901.jpg

Media Contacts: Camille Beaubien, Canadian Cancer Society Senior Communications Manager, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Stephanie Petroff, LCBO Senior Communications Consultant, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]