MONTREAL, May 29, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - In a festive atmosphere, the first edition of the Cancer Research Society's Urban BBQ took place at noon yesterday. The event, which raised $230,000, will provide funding for cancer research.
Some 450 high-profile figures from Quebec's business, sports and showbusiness communities gathered yesterday at Windsor Station, where they were treated to a gourmet-style BBQ menu created especially for the occasion by guest chef Louis-François Marcotte, in collaboration with Parreira Traiteur.
The Society's spokesperson, Stéphane Rousseau, who doubled as host for the occasion, is thrilled by the success of the event. "The Urban BBQ is about generating important contributions, a mouthwatering menu, very generous participants, but above all an inspiring charitable organization: it goes without saying that we have to make this a yearly happening," adds Mr. Rousseau. "It's a unique fundraiser, that combines business with pleasure."
For the BBQ's Honorary Co-Chairmen Tony Loffreda, Regional Vice-President, Commercial Financial Services, Western Quebec, RBC Royal Bank, and Martin Thibodeau, President, Quebec Headquarters, RBC Royal Bank, the Urban BBQ served as a reminder that research is the key to the fight against this terrible disease, which affects two out of five Canadians over the course of their lifetime. As proof, over the past 30 years, research has helped to increase the survival rate of cancer patients from 40% to over 60%!
"We still haven't managed to beat this enemy, but every dollar we raise contributes to funding important research that will help us better understand the mechanisms behind the emergence of cancer, as well as ways to prevent, control and treat its various forms," said Andy Chabot, president and CEO of the Society. "Your donations are important: they enable us to put everything into play to help Canadian researchers find solutions to conquer this disease."
The success of the Urban BBQ would not have been possible without the contribution and participation of the Society's valued partners: RBC Royal Bank, Pharmaprix, Apotex, Alre Properties, JCB entrepreneurs généraux, Norton Rose Fulbright, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, Parade Leasing and S.M. Group International.
About the Cancer Research Society
Founded in 1945, the Cancer Research Society is a national not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to fund all types of cancer research and thereby contribute to scientific advancement in preventing, detecting and treating the disease. The Cancer Research Society is devoted to both basic research, which has resulted in several innovative discoveries, as well as environment-cancer, a field in which the Society is considered to have played a pioneering role in Canada. During the past five years, the Cancer Research Society has granted over $ 41 million to some 283 cancer research projects across the country through diverse fundraising activities.
Image with caption: "In the usual order : Mr. Tony Loffreda, Regional Vice-President-Commercial Financial Services, Western Quebec, RBC Royal Bank, Mr. Éric Bouchard, Senior Vice-President, Pharmaprix, Mr. Martin Thibodeau, President, Quebec Headquarters, RBC Royal Bank, Mr. Stéphane Rousseau, spokesperson for the Cancer Research Society, Mr. Andy Chabot, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Research Society, and Mr. Louis-François Marcotte, guest chef for the event. (CNW Group/Cancer Research Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140529_C2837_PHOTO_EN_2354.jpg
SOURCE: Cancer Research Society
Source: Nathalie Giroux, Deputy Executive Director, Cancer Research Society; Media contacts: Alexandre Boyer, Morin Public Relations, T. 514-289-8688, ext.241, C. 514-707-9390, [email protected]; Caroline Couillard, Morin Public Relations, T. 514-289-8688, ext. 233, C. 514-755-5729, [email protected]
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