People everywhere will climb stairs for cancer research! - Come take part in
this historic climb to benefit The Cancer Research Society

MONTREAL , Sept. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - For the 5th year in a row, the young and not-so-young are invited to test their physical fitness as part of this challenging Step Up for the Cure event and to climb stairs for 24 hours, on September 26-27 at the Percival Molson Memorial Stadium to benefit The Cancer Research Society (The CRS). This event aims to raise funds and awareness about this horrible disease and its consequences for those who are diagnosed with it. The mission is to climb one stair for each of the estimated 11 million people worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer in 2009.

Since 2005, 5.5 million stairs, over 245 times the height of Mount Everest, have been climbed by Step Up for the Cure participants. This year, with the help of powerful social media, the organizers expanded the event to anyone anywhere in the world. People are able to climb at home, at school, at work or anywhere in their community. According to Dan Fischer , event organizer and founder, "the original idea was to create a symbolic event that gives everyone, no matter where they are or how much time they dedicate to the activity, a chance to join the ranks of cancer fighters by climbing any nearby stairs and to help reach this year objective of raising $100,000 ." To attain this goal, people are invited to submit their pledges and stair totals through the event website: www.stepupforthecure.com.

Climbing steps for basic cancer research

For Dan Fischer and Andy Chabot , Executive Director of The Cancer Research Society, it seemed like a natural idea to dedicate the money raised from this event to basic cancer research. In fact, The CRS has been funding this type of research, which is the cornerstone of new targeted treatments against cancer, since it was created in 1945. Laboratory-based basic cancer research is essential for understanding the causes and development of the disease, keeping it from spreading, preventing disease, and improving treatments and quality of life for those diagnosed with cancer. On August 6 , The CRS announced that it is investing in 28 new basic research projects, which brings to 88 the total number of research projects funded in Canada in 2009-2010, for a total contribution of over $6.7 million ." Cancer includes over 200 diseases and we cannot currently hope to find a single cure. This is precisely why cancer research is so important. Research is the key to better understanding the causes of this disease and discovering lasting solutions, which is the ultimate goal that partners such as Step Up for the Cure help us to achieve," stated Mr. Chabot . Remember that cancer is the number one cause of premature death in Canada , where it is estimated that 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime and 1 in 4 will die from it.

    
    Step Up for the Cure, a challenge that reminds us of the courage of
    cancer survivors
    

Step Up for the Cure is a demonstration of human determination - a determination etched on the participants' faces during the 24 hours they work to climb 15 sets (76 steps per set), alone or in teams of 2 to 5 people. "Those who sign up for this event often do it in memory of a cancer hero who they knew or saw suffer through difficult treatments. Remembering this fight for life is surely what helps them push through the exhaustion," stated one participant. This 24-hour event is meant to provide encouragement and hope for people living with cancer, whether you come as a spectator, participant or to cheer on the steppers. The atmosphere will be lively and motivating, marked by performances from Busta Blade, former player for the French rugby team Reichel A du Racing Club and singer who blends hip hop rhythms, R & B and reggae, as well as eight of the most popular DJs from the Montreal nightclub scene, including DJ Dave O'Brien, DJ Paul Random, DJ Superfly and DJ Samy. Cavalli Ristorante, Starbucks, Redbull, David's Tea and Fairmount Bagel are among the many sponsors supporting participants. According to tradition, 11 p.m. will mark a moment of hope, when cancer survivors will speak to the crowd by candlelight to speak about their experiences and their hard-fought, courageous battles to beat the disease. These emotional moments will help inspire and fuel participants to meet the challenge with an inner sense of calm and some of the same courage that survivors demonstrate.

    
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    Date:     From noon Saturday, September 26, 2009, to noon Sunday,
              September 27, 2009
    Location: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, located at 475 Pine Ave.,
              West
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For more information on Step Up for the Cure, or to register and participate in the event or to make a donation please visit www.stepupforthecure.com.

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About The Cancer Research Society

Founded in 1945, The Cancer Research Society (The CRS) is a national not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to fund cancer research exclusively and to offer seed money for the most promising original ideas, projects and researchers across Canada . For more information on the activities of The CRS, please visit www.CancerResearchSociety.ca.

For further information: Monique Sergerie, Development Advisor, Public Partnerships, The Cancer Research Society, [phone], ext. 228, [email protected]; Dan Fischer, Step Up for the Cure, [phone], [email protected]