Media Advisory - Rick Hansen to join 25th Anniversary Relay in Calgary, AB

Mayor Nenshi to attend celebration; Hansen to visit Children's Hospital; Kristina Groves to participate

CALGARY, Feb. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Twenty-five years to the date of his Man In Motion World Tour entering Alberta, Rick Hansen will return to Calgary to join-up with his cross-Canada Relay, which arrived in Alberta on February 15, 2012 via Irvine. Hansen will join the Relay for events in Calgary from February 23 to 27, 2012.

As the Rick Hansen 25^th Anniversary Relay makes its way across the country, the 12,000 kilometre route that retraces Rick's original Man In Motion Tour - which started on August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, NL - is being completed over a nine month-span by 7,000 Canadians who have made a difference in the lives of others.

Rick Hansen will be joining a number of these difference makers at the following events below:

Thursday, February 23, 2012 (Day #184: Relay traveling Claresholm to High River; Calgary events)

• Rick Hansen 25^th Anniversary Gala - 6:00pm (MT) [Location: Westin Calgary, 340-4^th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB]
• Media are invited to attend between 5:00-5:30pm should they require interviews with Rick Hansen. Following a private reception from 5:30-6:00pm, media would be permitted to attend from 6:00pm to 7:00pm, prior to the dinner/auction portion of the evening, for photos and/or b-roll
  
  
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Media wishing to attend, please contact John Gibson (details below) in advance, for entry

Friday, February, 24, 2012 (Day #185: Relay traveling High River to Okotoks; Calgary events)

• Calgary Academy School - 2:00pm (MT) [Location: 1677-93 Street SW, Calgary, AB]
• Rick Hansen to present his story of overcoming adversity and setting goals to students from Calgary Academy. Following the presentation, Hansen will recognize one student for their community work by presenting them with a Difference Maker Award
  
  
• This will be a special presentation, as the school is not on the Rick Hansen Relay route
  
  
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews following the presentation

Saturday, February 25, 2012 (Non-Relay day; Calgary events)

• Calgary Flames NHL Game - 8:00pm (MT) [Location: Scotiabank Saddledome. 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary, AB]
• Rick Hansen to perform the ceremonial face-off puck drop prior to the game vs. Philadelphia
  
  
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews prior to the game and during the first and second intermissions

Sunday, February 26, 2012 (Day #187: Relay traveling Okotoks to Calgary; Calgary events)

• Wheelchair Rugby Final game - 12:00pm (MT) [Location: Talisman Centre. 2225 Macleod Trail South Calgary, AB]
• Prior to the wheelchair rugby final - the first tournament of its kind to be held in Calgary - Rick Hansen and the Relay will hold an event with athletes and participants
  
  
• 12:00pm (MT): Rick Hansen Relay arrival and presentations
  
  
• 12:30pm (MT): Athlete warm-ups
  
  
• 12:45pm (MT): Rick Hansen to speak and conduct the ceremonial tip-off for the final game
  
  
• 1:15pm (MT): Relay departs
  
  
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews during the athlete warm-ups at 12:30pm (MT) and following the tip-off
• End of Day Celebration - 2:30pm (MT) [Location: BMO Centre, (Palamino Room) Calgary Stampede Grounds, 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, AB]
• Attending: Rick Hansen; Mayor Naheed Nenshi; Calgary Stampeders' Keon Raymond; Final Medal-Bearer Journey Wheatley (Journey is one of thirteen children and adults in her family with a disability. She has a rare disorder causing chronic pain and joint issues. She works as an ambassador to persons with disabilities and encourages everyone to never limit their potential)
  
  
• The Relay will end the day in Calgary by making its way into the Calgary Stampede Grounds. Rick Hansen, Mayor Nenshi and others will give brief remarks. The Jason Greeley Band and Young Canadians choir to perform
  
  
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews following the formal event

Monday, February 27, 2012 (Day #188: Relay traveling Calgary to Airdrie; Calgary events)

• Alberta Children's Hospital Rehab Centre - 10:00am (MT) [Location: Dr. Gordon Townsend School Gymnasium. 2888 Shaganappi Trail, NW Calgary, AB]
• Rick Hansen will speak to students from Dr. Gordon Townsend School (housed within the Hospital), which offers programs and services for elementary and secondary students with physical and rehabilitation requirements
  
  
• 10:00am MT: Rick Hansen media availability
  
  
• 10:30am MT: Rick Hansen presentation
  
  
• 11:00am MT: Arrival of the Relay
  
  
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews prior to the formal event.
• Speed Skating Relay segment - 11:30am (MT) [Location: Olympic Oval, University of Calgary]
• Kristina Groves, four-time Olympic medalist (3 silver, 1 bronze) and 18 time World Championships medalist (3 gold, 5 silver, 10 bronze) in speed skating will conduct a special segment of the Rick Hansen Relay on ice at the Olympic Oval
  
  
• 11:30am: the Relay arrives on Campus
  
  
• 11:35am: Mark Arendz, member of the Canadian Para-Nordic Ski team, who finished second overall in the IPC World Cup standings with six medals (three gold, two silver, one bronze) to pass the Rick Hansen Medal to Kristina Groves
  
  
• 11:35am: Kristina Groves to skate with the Rick Hansen Medal
  
  
• 11:45am: Rick Hansen, Kristina Groves and Mark Arendz will be available for interviews together

Rick Hansen Flash Quotes:

Rick Hansen reflecting on Calgary 25 years ago:

"A great memory and moment was being at the Saddledome with Mayor Ralph Klein and Lanny McDonald, along with a great supporter and someone whom is missed very much today, the late Harley Hotchkiss."

Rick Hansen reflecting on the Alberta weather on the Man In Motion World Tour:

"The weather had been very cold for a while, through stretches of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It started to warm up by the time we got to Calgary - it was still cool, wintery conditions - but it wasn't as extreme as it had been. That's not to say it was not a challenge each day. We often had a mixed bag of cold weather, winds and the occasional snowfall."

Rick Hansen reflecting on the health and medical innovations of Alberta:

"The Province of Alberta has made incredible strides on the two big dreams: spinal cord injury (SCI) cure and accessibility. Alberta has done a great job in developing SCI research, acute care rehabilitation, and leading in developing new clinical trials. We have also been very fortunate to have amazing partners such as the Alberta Paraplegic Association and the Alberta Paraplegic Foundation."

Rick Hansen on the Government of Alberta:

"The Government of Alberta has been a significant partner. They contributed $2.6 million in matching contributions to the Alberta Paraplegic Association during the original Tour. They also infused another million dollars into the Alberta Paraplegic Foundation at the 10^th Anniversary, and made a $12 million contribution in partnership with the Alberta Paraplegic Foundation for the 20^th Anniversary. This has created the capacity to get the job done and connect with Canada and the world, and we look forward to our future collaboration with the Government of Alberta, as our best work is still in front of us."

Rick Hansen on the City of Calgary and Mayor Nenshi:

"One thing that was evident when I first came through Alberta 25 years ago was just how inaccessible the city was. Like the case of many of the major cities in Canada, this was an awakening, and today, there has been a tremendous amount of progress in making buildings and transportation more accessible and inclusive. I had the honour of meeting Mayor Nenshi last summer when I was parade marshal for the Stampede, and we are extremely grateful for his support and hospitality as the Relay makes its way into Calgary this weekend."

Rick Hansen on the 25^th Anniversary Relay:

"The goal of the Relay has been to celebrate and recognize the work of local difference makers across the country, and part in parcel to this has been the participation of youth. I continue to be blown away by the response of young Canadians and the youth from around the world. The participation of these young difference makers has been inspiring and the resonance they have to our journey is encouraging for the future."

Media Materials:

The following items will be available in the Media Centre on www.RickHansenRelay.com:  Relay route map, full list of communities and dates, list of Medal-Bearers, Media Highlight Sheets with Medal-Bearer stories (one per day, uploaded at least 48 hours in advance), and high resolution images/video.

About the Rick Hansen 25^th Anniversary Relay:

Launched on August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Rick Hansen 25^th Anniversary Relay is retracing the Canadian segment of the original Man In Motion World Tour, traveling 12,000 kilometres, through 600 communities and concluding in Vancouver, British Columbia on May 22, 2012. This time, one will inspire many in motion; engaging 7,000 participants from across Canada who have made their own difference in the lives of others. Please visit www.RickHansenRelay.com.

Rick Hansen Foundation
John Gibson (in Calgary)
1-604-644-0811
[email protected]


Rick Hansen Foundation
Lisa Clement (with Relay)
1-604-351-4279
[email protected]


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