The Underwear Affair introduces "The Booty Hunt" as a new component of the 2013 race through downtown Vancouver

Participants will walk, race or complete challenges dressed in underwear to support leading-edge cancer research and enhancements to care through the BC Cancer Foundation

VANCOUVER, April 17, 2013 /CNW/ - The Underwear Affair introduced "The Booty Hunt" as a new event component for the 2013 race through downtown Vancouver. Participants will walk, race or complete challenges dressed in underwear to support leading-edge cancer research and enhancements to care through the BC Cancer Foundation.

"We're thrilled to introduce The Booty Hunt to our 8th annual Underwear Affair, it's a fun new component that will have teams racing to complete a series of fun challenges and activities throughout the city, while raising critical funds for an area of cancer research that has the potential to save and improve the lives of thousands of British Columbians," says Douglas Nelson, President and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation.

"Here in British Columbia, 48 per cent of diagnosed cancers occur below the belt. Routine screenings and open discussion are pivotal components for ensuring more British Columbians with these types of cancers have better outcomes. We developed The Underwear Affair to raise critical funds for cancer research and get people talking about underwear cancers. Nearly everyone completes the event in outrageous costumes and underwear," Nelson added.

In seven years, the Underwear Affair raised over $4.2 million for the BC Cancer Foundation and funds raised support ongoing prostate, colorectal, ovarian, testicular, bladder, cervical, and uterine cancer research programs at the BC Cancer Agency. The annual event brings together thousands of participants who walk a 5K route or race a 10K chip-timed route through downtown Vancouver. This year, "Booty Hunters" can form teams and race to complete a series of activities and challenges throughout the city before crossing the finish line.

"I was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in 2010, only two years after my children's father died from prostate cancer," says Rochelle van Halm, third-year participant from Vancouver.

"Thanks to the life-saving research and care at the BC Cancer Agency, I am currently in remission and enjoying life to the fullest. For me and my daughter Kate, The Underwear Affair is an opportunity to give back to the BC Cancer Agency by raising money for research, supporting a great cause, as well as having a great time," added van Halm.

Nelson says they timed the announcement to coincide with national "Awareness to Down There-Ness Day," an initiative aimed to significantly drive registrations for the 2013 Underwear Affair in Vancouver.

"We're encouraging all British Columbians to support research for cancers which occur below the waist and to register themselves, friends, family and colleagues today by visiting www.uncoverthecure.org or calling [phone]," Nelson added.

The Vancouver Underwear Affair will take place at the Concord Pacific Place on July 6^th of this year.  To register, donate or request information, visit www.uncoverthecure.org or call [phone].

About The BC Cancer Foundation
The BC Cancer Foundation (www.bccancerfoundation.com) is the bridge that connects philanthropic support and research breakthroughs in cancer knowledge. As the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest charitable funder of cancer research in this province, we enable donors to make contributions to leading-edge research that has a direct impact on improvements to cancer care for patients in British Columbia. We fund with the goal of finding solutions. As an independent charitable organization, we raise funds exclusively for the BC Cancer Agency that support innovative cancer research and compassionate enhancements to patient care.

SOURCE: BC Cancer Foundation

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