“The Pink Tour” hits the road for summer-long education program
Communities across the Niagara Region will be seeing pink this summer as the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, with the support of CIBC and Shoppers Drug Mart, hits the road for a summer- long provincial tour, inviting members of the community to come out and get the facts about breast cancer screening.
The Pink Tour will be travelling across Ontario, and eligible women will be able to sign up for a mammogram with the Ontario Breast Screening Program, a program administered by Cancer Care Ontario.
“Research shows that regular breast cancer screening can save lives. Since 1986, breast cancer mortality rates in Canada have declined by almost 40% as a result of increased mammography screening and improved treatments. Even though we know that finding breast cancer sooner means a greater range of treatment options and a better chance of survival, only 67% of eligible women were screened in 2010,” says Sandra Palmaro, CEO, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Ontario Region.
The Pink Tour will be making more than 90 stops in communities across Ontario, with a goal of having more than 30,000 people experience the tour. The bus will be making the following stops in Niagara:
| Date | Time | Location | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 30 | 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | St. Catharines |
Shoppers Drug Mart 275 Fourth Avenue |
| May 30 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | St. Catharines | CIBC 285 Geneva Street |
| May 31 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Fort Erie | Shoppers Drug Mart 450 Garrison Road |
| May 31 | 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Fort Erie | CIBC 85 Niagara Blvd. |
| June 1 | 11:00 a.m. -1:30pm. | Port Colborne | Shoppers Drug Mart 111 Clarence St. |
| June 1 | 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Port Colborne | CIBC 56 Clarence St. |
| June 3 | 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m | Niagara Falls | Women’s Half Marathon Upper Rapids Blvd. (Rapids View Parking Lot) |
| June 3 | 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Niagara Falls | Shoppers Drug Mart 5175 Victoria Ave, Unit # 1 |
| June 23 | 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Welland | Welland Arena 501 King St. |
| June 23 | 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Welland | Shoppers Drug Mart 595 South Pelham Rd. |
People are encouraged to visit the tour’s website – www.cbcf.org/pinktour- to learn more. At the designated stops, visitors will be able to hop aboard the bus to learn about breast cancer and breast health through hands-on, interactive tools.
“Breast cancer is a cause that is very close to our hearts at CIBC because it affects so many Canadians,” says Christina Kramer, Executive Vice-President, CIBC, a co-sponsor of The Pink Tour. “We are very excited to be helping bring this innovative and educational program to communities across Ontario. With one in nine women still being diagnosed with breast cancer our goal is to start this important conversation with as many people as possible so we can raise awareness.”
Women who are eligible to join the Ontario Breast Screening Program will be given an opportunity to register for a mammogram, right on the bus. All visitors will have the opportunity to sign the bus to pledge their support for the cause. The tour hopes to empower women to take action for their own health, and engage community members around the importance of this issue.
“We are pleased to support the Pink Bus Tour. Offering a booking system on the bus is a great way to support more women to be screened through our high quality Ontario Breast Screening Program”, said Dr. Janice Giesbrecht, Niagara Health System Director of Medical Oncology and Regional Deputy Vice President, Cancer Care Ontario.
“Shoppers Drug Mart is putting the resources and passion of our employees, Associate-owners and their teams behind Shoppers Drug Mart WOMEN – our commitment to the health of all Canadian women in body, mind and spirit. Further demonstrating that commitment we are very proud to be a part of The Pink Tour, an innovative program designed to empower women to learn about their breast health and breast cancer,” says Mary-Alice Vuicic, Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President Human Resources, Shoppers Drug Mart, co-sponsor of the Pink Tour.
Follow The Pink Tour’s journey at Facebook.com/CBCFOntario and Twitter.com/CBCF_Ontario (#PinkTour).
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 1986 as the first volunteer-led organization in the country devoted exclusively to breast cancer research, breast health and breast cancer education and advocacy. Our goal is to reduce the number of people diagnosed with breast cancer, and to improve quality of life for those affected. We fund world-class researchers and clinicians who are making groundbreaking progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Since 1986, the Foundation’s Ontario Region has awarded over $84 million in funding for nearly 600 grants, supporting research projects, fellowships and community health initiatives.About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees. In 2011, CIBC contributed more than $35 million to charitable and non-profit initiatives in Canada to support national, regional and local organizations.You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.
About Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation
Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The Company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Québec). With 1,206 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the Company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada. The Company also licenses or owns 57 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé in Québec) and eight luxury beauty destinations operating as Murale. As well, the Company owns and operates 63 Shoppers Home Health Care stores, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services. In addition to its retail store network, the Company owns Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services, and MediSystem Technologies Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities.
About Shoppers Drug Mart WOMEN
Shoppers Drug Mart WOMEN represents the organization’s commitment to improving the health of all Canadian women in body, mind and spirit. Brought to life through five partnership programs, created with leading experts and institutions in women’s health, this national initiative connects women to health information and resources that help ensure their health only gets stronger. More information can be found at shoppersdrugmart.ca/women.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
| Beth Hampson Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Tel: 416-815-1313 x512 Email: bhampson@cbcf.org |
Liisa Morley Niagara Health System Tel: 905-246-1449 Email: lmorley@niagarahealth.on.ca |
