The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer will use innovative social media strategy on Twitter to amplify fundraising efforts on Wednesday, February 8th - "Epic Impact Day"

TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2012 /CNW/ -

WHAT:

Building on last year's overwhelming success, Epic Impact Day significantly boosts fundraising efforts for The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer and is designed to help raise record sums of money for cancer beneficiaries across Canada.  On February 8^th, 2012 all participants of The Ride will be challenged to secure at least one donation to their ride campaign.

This year, Town Hall discussions will take place across Canada, using the micro-blogging, social networking site Twitter.  This digital, grass roots effort engages influential folks who support The Ride through a live interview over Twitter, and aims to help drive increased donations towards one common goal - to conquer cancer.

For one hour each on February 8^th KPMG, Norco, Steam Whistle, Amanda Lang, Bret Hart, Nigel Brockton, Jimi Brockett, Patrick Sullivan & Kevin Jagger will discuss a range of relevant topics & questions from The Enbridge Ride To Conquer Cancer Twitter handle.  Followers of KPMG, Norco, Steam Whistle, Amanda Lang, Bret Hart, Nigel Brockton, Jimi Brockett, Patrick Sullivan & Kevin Jagger as well as members of the news media can tune in to the Town Hall via Twitter at a set time and are encouraged to participate by Tweeting back questions & comments using a designated hash tag.

Folks who tune in to the Town Hall are encouraged to make a donation to The Ride by visiting www.conquercancer.ca

**See Town Hall URLs by Province Below**

WHO: The Enbridge Ride To Conquer Cancer

WHY:  Imagine if there was one day where every rider reached out and secured just one donation.  It would show the extraordinary power of thousands united for one common goal - to conquer cancer.

All donations are put to immediate use supporting groundbreaking research and clinical trials, which lead to treatments and save hundreds of lives.

To make a donation, register for The Ride or learn more visit www.conquercancer.ca

MEDIA & INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

National Twitter Town Hall - KPMG (@KPMG_Canada), over 3, 900 followers. KPMG responds to clients' complex business challenges across Canada and around the world through a global network of professionals. Award for Canada's Top 100 Employers. National Business Solutions sponsor and registered team in The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, across Canada.

• Time - 10:00AM EST
• Tune In Using: #EpicNA01

ONTARIO:

http://to12.conquercancer.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=to12_twitter_town_hall

• Twitter Town Hall 1 - Norco (@NorcoBicyles), over 3, 400 followers.  Bicycle manufacturer, which designs and distributes more than 140 models to more than 21 countries. Sponsor and registered team in the 2012 Ride
• 1PM EST
• Tune In Using: #EpicTO01
• Twitter Town Hall 2 - Steam Whistle (@SteamWhistle), over 8, 800 followers. Toronto's own brewing company to famous Canadian pilsner. Recipient of the Ontario Ministry of Environment Minister's Award for Environmental Excellence. Regional winner of Canada's 10 most admired corporate cultures. Sponsor and registered team in the 2012 Ride
• 2PM EST
• Tune In Using: #EpicTO02
• Twitter Town Hall 3 - Amanda Lang (@AmandaLang_CBC), over 13, 800 followers.  Gemini-award winning business journalist. SR Business Correspondent at CBC. Anchor of The Lang and O'Leary Exchange on CBC News Network. Registered participant in the 2012 Ride
• Time - 11:30AM EST
• Tune In Using: #EpicTO03

ALBERTA:

http://ab12.conquercancer.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=ab12_twitter_town_hall

• Twitter Town Hall 1 - Bret "Hitman" Hart - (@BretHart), Over 206K Followers.  World-famous, former WWF/WWE & WCW Pro Wrestling Champion from Calgary.  Voted one of the TOP 50 Canadians of all time on CBC's Greatest Canadian.
• 10 AM MT
• Tune In Using: #EpicAB01
• Twitter Town Hall 2 - Norco (@NorcoBicyles), over 3, 400 followers.  Bicycle manufacturer, which designs and distributes more than 140 models to more than 21 countries. Sponsor and registered team in the 2012 Ride.
• 1 PM MT
• Tune In Using: #EpicAB02
• Twitter Town Hall 3 - Nigel Brockton (@DrBullet), Cancer research scientist and two-times cancer survivor; FIS World Cup winning speed skier who was world #3 and set a top speed of 241.45kph. Captain of the 53-member team One Aim in the 2012 Ride.
• 3 PM MT
• Tune In Using: #EpicAB03

VANCOUVER:

http://va12.conquercancer.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=va12_twitter_town_hall

• Twitter Town Hall 1 - Jimi Brockett (@JimiBrockett), Captain of the 2nd largest team in the 2012 Ride - 130 member strong Team Riders for Ryders, named after Jimi's son Ryder who passed away with brain cancer at the age of 5 and Ryder Khalsa who passed away with cancer when he was 2.
  
  • 10 AM PST
  • Tune In Using: #EpicBC01
    

• Twitter Town Hall 2 - Norco (@NorcoBicyles), over 3,400 followers.  Bicycle manufacturer, which designs and distributes more than 140 models to more than 21 countries. Sponsor and registered team in the 2012 Ride.
  • 2 PM PST
  • Tune In Using: #EpicBC02
  
  
• Twitter Town Hall 3 - Patrick Sullivan (@TeamFinn), Captain of the Team Finn that raised over $ 1 mil. for the Ride. Patrick's son Finn was only three years old when he passed away with cancer.|
  
  • 4 PM PST
  • Tune In Using: #EpicBC03

• Twitter Town Hall 4 - Kevin Jagger (@KevinJagger) Former banker, who after Vancouver 2010, quit  his job to try & make Canada's Long Track Speed Skating Team.
  
  • TBD
  • Tune In Using: #EpicBC04

Eastern:
Ailish Steele
RTCC Communications Coordinator
416.577.9255
[email protected] 

Western:
Borjana Slipicevic
RTCC Communications Coordinator
778.233.9255
[email protected]