Public Rally Fighting Cancer Creates Emotive Art

TORONTO , Sept. 29 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society held a unique public rally today that saw Canadian celebrities join people from all walks of life to pitch paint balloons against a giant "Cancer" wall. The event marked the launch of a new, impassioned movement entitled "Join the Fight!". Every three minutes, another Canadian is faced with fighting cancer and this movement transforms the sadness and anger that cancer causes into a powerful collective resolve to fight - through people's voices, time and donations.

"Through this campaign, we want to motivate Canadians to 'Join the Fight!' and make cancer history. Today's rally is our way of showing that we won't back down until we eradicate cancer," said Rick Perciante, Vice-President, Development and Marketing, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. "It was a moving experience today, watching so many people come together, to create this unstoppable force to fight cancer with a vengeance."

Cancer survivors and community leaders including: Deputy Mayor and Toronto City Councillor, Joe Pantalone ; Ontario MPP Khalil Ramal; Toronto City Councillor Karen Stintz; actors Kristin Booth (Defendor), Sarain Boylan (Rent-a-Goalie) and performers Miles Faber , Vincent Noiseux and Romina D'Ugo (So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 1); Toronto Fire Department Division Chief David Sheen ; Toronto Police Sergeant Matt Mungal ; Canadian Armed Forces Captain Mark Timms and Sheila John , Manager, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario were among those who took their best shot at cancer and publicly pledged to join the fight.

The paint from the balloons covered up the word 'cancer' to create a work of "emotive art" symbolically wiping out cancer. This giant canvas will be divided into sections and featured at several regional Canadian Cancer Society offices, to serve as a reminder for years to come that as a collective voice, we will not back down until cancer is eradicated.

The Canadian Cancer Society's 'Join the Fight!' movement urges Canadians to fight with their voice, with their time, or with important donations to help fund vital research and support services. They can also visit www.fightback.ca to share their fighting stories and inspire others.

"Through our 'Join the Fight!' movement we are going on the offensive against cancer - the more voices that join together, the louder our rallying cry," added Perciante. "Each voice makes a difference and we can see that change before our eyes through research, patient and family support, and through advocacy."

    
    The Canadian Cancer Society is making the most impact against more cancers
in more communities than any other cancer charity in Canada.

    -   Last year alone, the Canadian Cancer Society invested close to $49
        million in cancer research, supporting the best scientists across
        Canada who are fighting cancer. In its more than 70 year history, the
        Society has funded more than $1 billion in cancer research. Thanks in
        part to this investment:
        -  Death rates for most cancers in Canada have stabilized or declined
           during the past decade.
        -  More people are surviving cancer than ever before. Today, 62 per
           cent of people diagnosed with cancer will survive, compared to
           only 25 per cent in the 1940s when the Canadian Cancer Society
           began funding research.
    -   The Canadian Cancer Society has been a leader in promoting proactive,
        healthy lifestyles in Ontario and across the country. For example:
        -  Last year, with the support of volunteers, legislation was passed
           banning candy-flavoured cigarillos, which helps prevent children
           from smoking.
        -  The Ontario government passed the Cosmetic Pesticide Act, which
           banned the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides. This regulation is
           the strongest cosmetic pesticide legislation in North America and
           will help protect the health of Ontarians.
    -   Last year in Ontario, more than 65,000 people volunteered their time
        with the Canadian Cancer Society to help fight cancer. Through the
        "Join the Fight!" movement, the Society hopes to grow this team of
        fighters and make it stronger than ever before.
    

For more information about the 'Join the Fight!' movement, visit www.fightback.ca.

About the Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. For more information on cancer, visit www.cancer.ca or call the toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Christine Koserski, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, [phone], [email protected]