Toronto (Sept. 27, 2010) - You'd be hard pressed to find anyone across Canada who, at one time or another, hasn't pulled on their running shoes, grabbed a hockey stick and fired a few balls at a willing target while playing road hockey. It's as uniquely Canadian as maple syrup, politeness, health care and beavers. The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation (PMHF) has tapped into what is in the soul of most Canadians by proudly announcing an epic new fundraising event – ROAD HOCKEY TO CONQUER CANCER, benefiting The Princess Margaret. We are also extremely pleased to have Boston Pizza™ on board as our presenting sponsor.
The Dawn-to-Dusk event will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Ontario Place, on Toronto's picturesque waterfront. You can register with friends, family and associates as a team, or individually, but register now, as Princess Margaret mega events have a history of selling out early. There is a fundraising minimum of $1,250 per participant, with money raised allocated to crucial cancer research at The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute at The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world. Teams of eight to 10 players (16 years of age or older) will compete in a minimum of five games through the day, with numerous non-hockey activities, including live music, interactive games and food and drink to keep participants amused between contests. "There'll be an all-day festival atmosphere," stated Shawn Burt, Chief Hockey Officer at PMHF. "ROAD HOCKEY TO CONQUER CANCER will be the greatest road hockey event ever!"
"When I think of things that are truly Canadian, I think of one thing – hockey!" said Paul Alofs, PMHF's President and CEO. "The Princess Margaret has been fortunate to launch some incredible events, but this one takes me back to when I was eight years old and some of the best memories of my life. All you need is a stick and some running shoes. Anyone can play, and it's happening right now on streets all across Canada. And by participating in ROAD HOCKEY TO CONQUER CANCER, players are raising critical research funding for The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world."
"Like so many others, I played road hockey as a kid and always had so much fun," commented Dr. Benjamin Neel, Director, The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute/OCI at The Princess Margaret, who watched the Broad Street Bullies era of the Philadelphia Flyers from his hometown near Philadelphia at the time. "Today, researchers are embarking on a new era of discovery, and events like ROAD HOCKEY TO CONQUER CANCER have a major impact on the resources needed by these scientists to collaborate on research in order to conquer cancer in our lifetime.
"Like any other kid, I played road hockey," stated six-time Stanley Cup champion, Mark Messier. "It was a dream for all of us to one day play for the Stanley Cup. Road hockey was one of the ways we were able to live that dream, even as kids." On ROAD HOCKEY TO CONQUER CANCER, Messier commented, "It's a great idea. It's a great way to celebrate our game, a great way to have fun, but more importantly, it's a great way to get together and raise money for a very important cause."
To register or for more information, visit www.RoadHockeyToConquerCancer.ca or call 1 877 541 I'M IN (4646).
ROAD HOCKEY TO CONQUER CANCER. It's here! Are you in?!?
About The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation
The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation at University Health Network raises funds for breakthrough research, exemplary teaching and compassionate care at Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute, which now includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and The Campbell Family Breast Cancer Research Institute. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.thepmcf.ca.
About Princess Margaret Hospital
Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute, which now includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and The Campbell Family Breast Cancer Research Institute, have achieved an international reputation as one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world. Princess Margaret Hospital is a member of University Health Network, which also includes Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital. All three are research hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto.
