Media Advisory - Rick Hansen to join 25th Anniversary Relay in the Regina, SK

Hansen to visit RCMP Academy, Rehab Centre, U of R; travels to Saskatoon for additional events

REGINA, SK, Jan. 31, 2012 /CNW/ - Twenty-five years to the date of his Man In Motion World Tour entering Saskatchewan, Rick Hansen will return to Regina to join-up with his cross-Canada Relay, which arrives in Saskatchewan on February 1, 2012 via Moosomin. Hansen will join the Relay for events in Regina on February 4 and February 6. He will then travel to Saskatoon - a city he did not originally reach on his Man In Motion Tour - to hold events at a local school and at the Saskatoon City Hospital on February 7, 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:

Saturday, February 4, 2012 (Day #165: Relay traveling Indian Head to Regina; Regina events)

• End of Day Celebration: City Square Plaza - 1:30pm (MT) [Location: 12^th Avenue & Cornwall Street, adjacent to Victoria Park, Regina, SK]
• Attending: Rick Hansen; the Honourable Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan; Councillor Mike O'Donnell, City of Regina; final Medal-Bearer Marlene Hoce (Prairie Rep and Regional Co-Chair for the National Council of Federal Employees with Disabilities; Board Member with Canadian Paraplegic Association; involved with the Mayor's Task Force on Access)
• 1:30pm: Centre for Excellence skate demonstrations on outdoor skating rink
• 2:00pm: ROAR Performance (traditional African drumming from students of Douglas Park Lions)
• 2:00pm: Public skate and skating lessons
• 2:30pm: Arrival of Rick Hansen
• 3:00pm: Arrival of the Rick Hansen Relay and final Medal-Bearer
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews prior to and following the formal events
• Regina Pats Hockey Game - 7:00pm (MT) [Location: Brandt Centre - Link Arena (West End), 1700 Elphinstone Street, Regina, SK]
• Rick Hansen to drop the ceremonial puck prior to the start of the game
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews following the puck-drop

Monday, February 6, 2012 (Non-Relay Day; Regina events)

• Wascana Rehabilitation Hospital - 9:30am (MT) [Location: 2180 - 23^rd Avenue, Regina, SK]
• Rick Hansen to meet with patients and visit the centre. Following patient visits Hansen will be speaking at the Canadian Paraplegic Association's (Saskatchewan Chapter) Peer Event in the foyer of the Rehabilitation Centre
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews during the visit. Patients will be identified via the Hospital's staff if they are permitted to be filmed
• RCMP Heritage Centre/Academy - 12:00pm (MT) [Location: Museum Theatre, 5907 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK]
• In appreciation of the RCMP providing significant support and safe passage of the Relay across Canada, Rick Hansen will visit the RCMP Academy
• 12:00pm: Rick Hansen to present to staff and cadets, followed by a short Q&A session
• 12:50pm: Noon parade and inspection
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews following the parade

• University of Regina speaking engagement - 3:00pm (MT) [Location: 3737 Wascana Parkway - Centre for Kinesiology Health and Sport, Main Gym]
• 3:00pm: Rick Hansen to present to students and faculty, followed by a brief Q&A
• 4:00pm: Rick Hansen to meet with Craig Chamberlain, Dean of Kinesiology, and students from the adaptive sport program to discuss accessibility advancements in sport

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 (Non-Relay Day; Saskatoon events)

• Bethlehem Catholic High School - 10:45am (MT) [Location: 110 Bowlt Crescent, Saskatoon, SK]
• Rick Hansen to present his story of overcoming adversity and setting goals to students from Bethlehem Catholic School and Tommy Douglas Collegiate. Following the presentation, Hansen will recognize one student from each school for their community work by presenting them with a Difference Maker Award
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews following the presentation
• Saskatoon City Hospital - 1:30pm (MT) [Location: Hospital cafeteria. 701 Queen St., Saskatoon, SK]
• Rick Hansen to visit Saskatoon City Hospital, which is part of the Rick Hansen Institute's Global Spinal Cord Injury Registry
• 1:30pm: Tour of Rehab Centre with Arlene Brandt, Clinical Coordinator; patient visits
• 2:30pm: Presentation and photo opportunities
• NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews following the presentation

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 (1 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.