Ninth Annual Ride for Karen Cycling Event Raises $200,000 to Send Children
with Cancer to Camp

Ride for Karen has Raised More Than $1.3 Million to Support Canadian Cancer Organizations

MAPLE, ON, Sept. 12 /CNW/ - More than 500 cycling enthusiasts from across Ontario hit the roads north of Toronto today for the Ride for Karen, an annual fundraiser that raised $200,000 to send children with cancer to camp. Now in its ninth year, the Ride for Karen has become one of Ontario's top cycling fundraisers for all ages and experience levels - from the hundreds of cyclists completing today's "Century Ride" (100 miles), to pre-schoolers taking part in the Kids' Fun Ride.

Scotiabank Group is the presenting sponsors of the Ride for Karen, providing support and sponsorship for the operation of the event while also helping to build awareness, increase the number of participants and raise additional funds for the camps. All of the money raised from this year's event goes to camps Oochigeas, Quality and Trillium, where children are provided a camp experience in a setting that supports their medical needs. This year's Ride for Karen will send more than 300 children with cancer to summer camp.

"Scotiabank Group have a strong commitment to supporting local initiatives, like the Ride for Karen, in the communities where we do business," said Phil Smith, Managing Director, Deputy Head, Global Investment Banking, Scotiabank Group. "We take great pride in our involvement with the Ride for Karen which builds hope for children living with cancer and the families who care for them."

Ride for Karen was started by Karen's sons, Kirk and Kris, shortly after her death in July 2002. The idea for the Ride for Karen started when the brothers got a few friends together for a long bike ride to clear their heads after they lost their mother, Karen, to a five-year battle with breast cancer. Since then, Ride for Karen has grown into one of Ontario's premiere cycling events.

"Our mother was dedicated to improving hope for cancer patients and the Ride for Karen is a way to build this hope," said Kirk Tobias. "The Ride for Karen offers support for people that have been touched by the disease, whether they be cancer survivors or friends and families who have lost loved ones."

The 2010 Ride for Karen featured four courses, a 25 km course for intermediate cyclists, a 100 km course for recreational cyclists, a 160 km (100 mile "Century Ride") route for advanced riders and the Kids' Fun Ride for children two-to-12 years old. Participants raised funds through pledges and many dedicated their ride to a child or loved one affected by cancer.

In Canada, approximately 1,400 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and another 10,000 are already living with cancer or its long-term effects.

"The Ride for Karen is made possible with the support of Scotiabank and the help of dozens of sponsors and volunteers," said Kris Tobias. "Whether it's police officers from York, Peel, South Simcoe and the Ontario Provincial Police who donate their time, or people making sandwiches and baking cookies for participants, the help from the community truly makes this a successful family event."

Ride for Karen

Started in 2002, Ride for Karen (www.rideforkaren.com) is a yearly cycling event that is held as a tribute to the life and legacy of Karen Tobias and to raise money for charities that help people living with cancer, and those who care for them. In the last nine years, the Ride for Karen has raised over one million dollars which has been used to help build and furnish new cancer care facilities, provide much needed resources for cancer support centres and send kids with cancer to camp.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com or www.scotiacapital.com

For further information: Kathleen McMenamin, Laura Ballantyne, 416.203.2223, [email protected]