Shire Canada Proud to Support The Kidney Foundation of Canada's Kidney Stories of Hope Campaign

MONTREAL, March 1, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - March is Kidney Health Month and Shire Canada Inc. ("Shire") is proud to support The Kidney Foundation of Canada's Kidney Stories of Hope campaign, which officially launches today. Shire adds its voice to that of The Kidney Foundation of Canada in encouraging Canadians to visit the Foundation's website throughout the month of March to share their own inspiring story about their experience with kidney disease. Five participants, whose stories are deemed "most inspirational," will be awarded $500.

An estimated 2.6 million Canadians have kidney disease, or are at risk¹

"Shire's purpose is to enable people with life-altering conditions to lead better lives," says Claude Perron, Vice-President and General Manager, Shire Canada Inc. "We believe peer support and inspiration play an important role in helping patients and their families cope as they manage their health. That is why we applaud the Kidney Stories of Hope initiative. At the same time, we are also very proud to support The Kidney Foundation of Canada in its quest to reduce the burden of kidney disease. The Foundation has a significant and positive impact on the lives of many Canadians."

For more detailed information about the Kidney Stories of Hope campaign and on how to submit a story, please visit The Kidney Foundation of Canada's website at www.kidney.ca.

About the Kidney Stories of Hope Campaign
Throughout March, Kidney Health Month, Canadians are invited to submit their "Story of Hope" to www.kidney.ca/storiesofhope, either in writing or by posting a video. A jury of Kidney Foundation staff and volunteers will choose the five regional winners (British Columbia, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada) who will each receive the Shire Inspira Award for most inspirational story along with $500, courtesy of Shire Canada Inc. An additional non-monetary prize for the Kidney Story of Hope Outstanding Contribution will be awarded to the participant whose story raises the most donations for The Kidney Foundation of Canada. All winners will be announced in April 2012.

About The Kidney Foundation of Canada
The Kidney Foundation of Canada is the national volunteer organization committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease through funding and stimulating innovative research; providing education and support; promoting access to high quality healthcare; and increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation.

About Shire Canada Inc.
Shire Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of Shire plc. In Canada, Shire mainly focuses its business on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), human genetic therapies and gastrointestinal as well as renal diseases. Shire's Canada Inc. is headquartered in Montréal (St-Laurent), Québec. For further information, please visit the company's website: www.shirecanada.com.

¹ http://www.kidney.ca/ Accessed Feb 2012

Brigitte Viel
Manager, Communications and Community Relations
Shire Canada Inc.
514-787-5114
[e-mail]