Manulife Bike and Hike for Heart reaches goal

Riders, walkers to raise $200,000 for cardiac care in Waterloo Region

WATERLOO, ON, June 6 /CNW/ - Close to 1,000 cyclists, walkers and volunteers took part in the 18th annual Manulife Bike and Hike for Heart today to support local heart health. Organizers continue to tally donations, which will reach $200,000 for St. Mary's Regional Cardiac Care Centre in Kitchener.

Including today's results, the event has raised more than $3.1 million for heart health in Waterloo Region since it was first launched in 1993.

"We're very proud to organize and host such a great community event," said Paul Rooney, President and CEO, Manulife Canada. "We're proud of everyone--the cyclists, walkers, volunteers and donors--who helped to exceed our goal. This is a great event that celebrates heart health, has a tremendous financial impact, and recognizes the power of volunteerism, something we at Manulife believe in passionately."

"We greatly appreciate the community's overwhelming support for heart health and the cardiac centre," added Moira Taylor, president of St. Mary's General Hospital. "This event has yet again set a high standard in helping our cardiac care centre continue to provide world-class care."

Sunday morning's events began with breakfast for Corporate Challenge Teams - teams of cyclists and walkers from local businesses and organizations that turned out in strong numbers.

At 9:30 a.m., wheels began rolling as cyclists set off on a 20-kilometre tour through the streets of Waterloo in and around Waterloo Park. Walkers strolled along three and five-kilometre courses.

Donations for the 2010 Bike and Hike support the St. Mary's Regional Cardiac Care Centre, which provides cardiac catheterization, cardiac surgery, angioplasty, cardiac care clinics and cardiac rehabilitation. The program, serving 500,000 residents in the Waterloo Region and surrounding area, offers diagnostics, intensive care and inpatient cardiac care in a full-service program.

    
    Results for the 2010 Manulife Bike and Hike for Heart:
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Total donations: Organizers collected $180,000 in donations today and expect total donations for this year's event to reach $200,000 by June 30.

    
    Participation Award
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Agfa HealthCare received a Participation Award for having 45 participants at the event.

    
    Corporate Challenge Results
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Winners of the Corporate Challenge "Golden Wheel Award" for the corporate team raising the largest amount of donations per person:

Gold - Manulife Canadian Division Achievers

Silver - HSBC Bank

Bronze - St. Mary's One

For further information: Media contact: Tom Nunn, Manulife Financial, [phone] (cell)