The Heart and Stroke Foundation launches new Calendar Lottery with chances to
win cash prizes all year long

TORONTO, Oct. 14 /CNW/ - The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario announced today the launch of a new Calendar Lottery. For a one-time purchase of only $25, entrants will have the chance to win $5,000 every day of the year. A calendar purchase is more than a chance to win. Research has shown that 80 per cent of premature onset of heart disease and stroke is preventable. The calendar purchase is a chance to help millions of Canadian live longer, healthier lives. Other prizes include a weekly $10,000 cash prize, a monthly $100,000 prize, 12 additional bonus Holiday Jackpots of $30,000 and an Early Bird Cash Prize of $250,000. Each lottery number is returned to the drum after each draw so one calendar number can win numerous times throughout the year.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation strives to eliminate heart disease and stroke and reduce their impact through research, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy. One hundred per cent of net proceeds from the Heart &Stroke Calendar Lottery will support life-saving research into heart disease and stroke. Through initiatives like the Calendar Lottery money is raised to help prevent heart disease and stroke, improve existing treatments and develop new ones so that those living with the effects of heart disease and stroke can thrive.

"Through the launch of our new Calendar Lottery, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario is making it more exciting for Canadians to support this important cause and potentially change their own lives," said Marco Di Buono, Director of Research, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. "With one in three Canadian deaths attributed to heart disease or stroke, help is needed to fund the research required to save more lives."

The Heart and Stroke Foundation officially launched its Calendar Lottery today with an announcement at Yonge Eglinton Square in midtown Toronto and spoke about the impact that the Calendar Lottery will have on life-saving Foundation research. A flash mob performance of "Calendar Girls" by Neil Sedaka surprised bystanders and created additional excitement for the Calendar Lottery launch.

About the Heart and Stroke Foundation

The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy.

About the Calendar Lottery

The Heart&Stroke Calendar Lottery will officially be on sale from October 12, 2010 until December 20, 2010 at midnight (while supplies last). The Early Bird deadline is December 15^th, 2010. The calendars will be available for purchase by mail, fax, and phone [phone]). Purchasers must be at least 18 years of age and calendars cannot be purchased in the name of a minor. The Heart&Stroke Calendar Lottery is intended for Ontario residents only. Calendar buyers must be in Ontario at the time of purchase and calendars will only be mailed within Ontario. Calendars make a perfect gift for the holidays! Orders received by December 1, 2010 will be delivered to the primary purchaser by December 24^th. For more information visit www.heartandstroke.ca/calendar.

A video of the flash mob will be available shortly.

For further information:

For images, video or more information, please contact: