-  4-year-old with Epilepsy Inspires Jack's Rainbow

    -  Busker with Epilepsy Juggles Art and LifeTORONTO, July 23 /CNW/ - The 8th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest, runs
August 23-26 throughout the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood and will raise
awareness and funds for Epilepsy Toronto, a non-profit organization that has
been helping people living with epilepsy and their families for the past 50
years. One in every 100 Canadians experiences some form of epilepsy, and
Epilepsy Toronto is committed to promoting independence and optimal quality of
life for them and their families.
    This year's festival features Jack's Rainbow, inspired by Jack Yeilding,
the remarkable 4-year-old Oakville resident who set up a fundraising lemonade
stand at his home last summer and raised $14,000 for Toronto's SickKids, the
hospital that oversees his epilepsy treatment. Major newspapers captured
Jack's charitable and selfless spirit across Canada at the time. This
resilient and special young boy is determined that his epilepsy not be a
barrier to achievement. Jack's Rainbow will span the entrance of the
festival's children's area, BuskerPlay, and be constructed entirely of
multi-coloured hearts, drawn by children at Scotiabank BuskerFest, that
express heartfelt sentiments to the epilepsy community. Hopes are high to
collect thousands of hearts, and with each, a donation for Epilepsy Toronto
into a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Jack will be at BuskerFest on
Saturday, August 25.
    More then 350,000 spectators are expected to attend BuskerFest this year.
Volunteers will be standing by, accepting donations as crowds come and go.
Since its inception, Scotiabank BuskerFest has raised more than a half-million
dollars for Epilepsy Toronto.
    "The annual Scotiabank BuskerFest raises a significant amount of the
money we need to continue providing our programs and services, but it also
serves as a great forum to raise public awareness about epilepsy and what
Epilepsy Toronto can do to help," says Geoff Bobb, Executive Director of
Epilepsy Toronto. "After BuskerFest, our phones ring off the hook with people
who heard about us through the festival. Last year, I met an 8-year-old boy
who was embarrassed about his epilepsy and kept it a secret. Attending
BuskerFest helped him accept it and forget he was ever ashamed."
    British busker Mat Ricardo, the Gentleman Juggler, was diagnosed with
epilepsy when he was 19. Today he is a globetrotting performer, practicing the
almost lost art of gentleman juggling - balancing or juggling tricks with
objects found in a restaurant, bar or gentleman's club. "Epilepsy is such a
misunderstood and personal illness," says Ricardo, "while it certainly had an
impact on my life, it hasn't stopped me from pursuing my goals. In fact, it
has made me focus even more intently on them."
    With more than 40,000 people living with Epilepsy in this city, Epilepsy
Toronto offers a wide range of services that would not be possible without
Scotiabank BuskerFest and the many donations the organization receives
throughout the year. Services include support groups to provide a forum for
public discussion; resource centres where information about epilepsy is easily
and readily accessible; educational presentations to share important
information with the public, social and recreational groups to strengthen the
bond of the epilepsy community; along with many other services dedicated to
helping those with epilepsy live independently and with dignity as meaningful
participants in the community.
    "Scotiabank is proud to support BuskerFest in its eighth year," said Jeff
Bartja, Scotiabank District Vice-President, Toronto Central. "This is a great
event that enriches the entire community and is one for the whole family to
enjoy."
    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2006 the Bank provided more than $42 million in sponsorships
and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas
of healthcare, education and social services. Scotiabank is on the World Wide
Web at www.scotiabank.com.8th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest
               Toronto International Street Performer Festival
                 Thursday August 23 - Sunday August 26, 2007
        throughout the Historic St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood
               - Front Street between Scott and Jarvis Streets
          Thursday noon-10pm, Friday noon-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm.
                                 Sun 11am-8pm
           Admission is FREE with a voluntary donation to benefit
                               Epilepsy Toronto
               For information visit www.torontobuskerfest.com