One Small Step walkathon brings in NHL's Steve Mason to help raise
    awareness for health and fitness in familiesOAKVILLE, ON, Aug. 14 /CNW/ - In its fifth year, the Prader-Willi
Research Foundation Canada and Scotiabank have teamed up with NHL's Steve
Mason in support of the Foundation's One Small Step Walkathon this Sunday,
August 16. With more than 500 people expected to participate in this Oakville
Walk/Run, the event will help promote public awareness about the importance of
health and fitness in families while raising funds for Prader-Willi research.
    "Scotiabank is proud of its continued support for Prader-Willi Research
in the fifth year of the walk", said Jamie Auerbach, Scotiabank District
Vice-President, Toronto West. "This is an important genetic disorder that our
communities need to understand on a deeper level. On Sunday, hundreds of
families will take part in the walk/run in celebration of a healthy and active
lifestyle together all in support for an important cause."
    "Founding a charity is hard work, however with Scotiabank has made it
easier," said Keegan Johnson co-founder and chairman of Foundation for
Prader-Willi Research Canada. "Scotiabank, our founding partner, has been with
us from the beginning and our charity would not be where it is today without
Scotiabank's financial support and strategic guidance."
    Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder which typically
causes low muscle tone, cognitive disabilities, behavioural issues and a
chronic feeling of hunger that can lead to excessive eating and
life-threatening obesity. People with PWS can never live independently due to
their insatiable appetites and constant supervision is necessary. Many
children with PWS grow up undiagnosed due to lack of awareness. PWS affects
one out of 12,000 new families each year.
    To help raise and generate more awareness on PWS, Oakville native Steve
Mason will participate and sign autographs for participants of the event.
    "It's encouraging to see an event in support of PWS in our communities as
it profiles the importance of health and fitness in families, said Steve
Mason. "Health and fitness is something we should never take lightly, and as a
professional athlete I hope to help in positive reinforcement of that
importance from an early age.
    The One Small Step Walk/Run takes place on Sunday, August 16th from 9:00
a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Shell Park in Oakville. Participants are encouraged to
take part in the 2k walk or 5k run. For more information please visit
www.onesmallstep.ca.

    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 2008 the Bank provided about $43 million in sponsorships and
donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of
healthcare, education and social services and arts and culture. Please visit
us at www.scotiabank.com.NHL is a registered trademark of the National Hockey League. All Rights
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