HALIFAX, NS – Ultramar and its service stations in Atlantic Canada have announced a donation of $66,602 for the implementation of a unique kinesiology-oncology program tailored to women with or at risk of developing breast cancer.
The money was raised through initiatives held in October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when one cent per litre of Supreme gasoline and $1 from every Supreme car wash were collected.
Customers also made their own $1 or $5 contributions charged at the till or left donations in kind in special bins set up for the drive.
“Thanks to the generosity of our customers and the mobilization of our employees, we’re proud to have reached our goal again this year. Since 2005, Ultramar has donated $516,130 to the cause in the Atlantic provinces,” Mario Sauvé, vice president of retail sales with the Parkland Fuel Corporation, said in a news release.
“With this year’s donation, we are more than happy to help the University of New Brunswick implement the Breast Cancer Foundation’s new program in the Atlantic provinces that will promote the benefits of physical activity for women with or at risk of developing breast cancer, facilitate access to a supervised program, and standardize practices and interventions.”
Along with Atlantic Canada, fundraising campaigns were held simultaneously in Ontario and Quebec, raising a total of $377,460.
The My Active Health program, developed by the Breast Cancer Foundation, will be the first of its kind to take advantage of advances in research on the benefits of kinesiology. It will be based on the latest scientific data and statistics on women with or at risk of developing breast cancer. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life and health of these women.
“We are very proud to give back to the kinesiology-oncology programs here, in the Atlantic provinces, the funds that were raised for the cause. Our fundamental philosophy is to help the local communities who contribute to the fight against breast cancer, by reinvesting in their own programs. Our mission is to be close to the specific needs of each group”, said Breast Cancer Foundation president Nathalie Tremblay.
The University of New Brunswick will act as coordinator to implement the program in the Atlantic provinces in the first year.
Kinesiology, or physical activity adapted to each patient, has proven that it can significantly reduce the risks associated with breast cancer.
The Breast Cancer Foundation will look to kinesiologist Myriam Filion to develop the program over the next few months before deploying it in the Maritimes, Québec and Ontario in the first year.
The ultimate goal is to deploy it nationally and implement it in private clinics, some universities, NPOs and hospitals, with the collaboration of kinesiologists who will be trained under the program.
During the first year of implementation of the program, the objective will be to involve a minimum of 80 patients in the My Active Health program, and 160 patients in the first two years.
