CALGARY, Oct. 3 /CNW/ - Four hundred men, women, youth and kids, along with a host of notable Calgarians, took over a giant swath of CrossIron Mills' parking lot today to mix it up at the inaugural Scotiabank Stick-It to Prostate Cancer, a one-of-a-kind ball tournament to raise awareness and funds for the fight against Prostate Cancer, the number one cancer threat to Canadian men.

Participants on 41 teams not only raised funds for Prostate Cancer research but invaluable awareness of a disease that will impact more than one in six men during his lifetime.

"Prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its earliest, most curable stage, a fact that highlights the need to drive home the critical awareness and early detection message for men and their loved ones," said prominent Calgary philanthropist and prostate cancer survivor W. Brett Wilson, the event's honourary chair.

A highlight of the first Scotiabank Stick-It to Prostate Cancer was the Survivors' Game featuring Wilson, former NHL pros Jim Peplinski and Sheldon Kennedy, women's hockey gold medal Olympians Carla McLeod and Kelly Bechard, Paralympian sprint champ Earle Connor, Canadian national luge team members Jeff Christie and Sam Edney as well as other local celebrities playing alongside several prostate cancer survivors.

"It was an exciting celebration of the courage of all men and families fighting this disease," said Steve Jones, President and CEO of Prostate Cancer Canada. "We are so proud of and thankful for all the men and their families and friends who participated and raised both awareness and funds to make the first Scotiabank Stick-It to Prostate Cancer such a great success."

The event included three divisions for players of all ages and abilities: elite for serious hockey enthusiasts aged 16 and over; a corporate challenge for participants 18 years of age and older; and a family and friends division.

The top fundraising team was the First Energy Capitals, which raised $11,970. The top individual fundraiser was W. Brett Wilson, who raised $3,010 followed closely by Matt Dunn of the First Energy Capitals, who collected $2,650 in pledges.

Calgary Stampeders' offensive lineman and long snapper, Randy Chevrier - who is also a long-time hockey aficionado - swapped the pigskin for a hockey stick to add some muscle and a whole lot of enthusiasm to the top Scotiabank fundraising team, Scotiabank Cochrane.

"As Canada's Hockey Bank, Scotiabank saw this event - in a city that has such a passion for the sport at all levels - as an exciting way to engage people in the fight against Prostate Cancer," added Don Hardy, Scotiabank's Director, Regional Banking, Prairies.

Members of the public can still make donations until October 31, 2010 by visiting www.stickit.net.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues. Through its partnerships, Scotiabank's hockey programs enrich the communities where Canadians live and work by engaging fans and players in new ways to celebrate our game. Scotiabank is the official Bank of the NHL(R), NHLPA(R), NHL Alumni(TM) and the CWHL, and has partnerships with the Calgary Flames, the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. Scotiabank and Pro Hockey Life teamed up to provide exclusive in-store and online discounts to Scotiabank customers, promote advice on equipment and enhance the grassroots community programs of both companies. For more information on Scotiabank's hockey programs visit www.scotiahockeyclub.com

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 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

About Prostate Cancer Canada

Prostate Cancer Canada is the only national foundation dedicated to the elimination of this disease through research, education, support and awareness. Prostate Cancer Canada raises funds for the development of programs related to awareness, public education, advocacy, support of those affected, and research into the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of prostate cancer. For more information and to learn about testing and treatment, visit prostatecancer.ca.