Bank commits to match funds raised

HAMILTON, ON, April 1 /CNW/ - Scotiabank kicked off a fundraising campaign today to support the 6^th World Conference on Breast Cancer being held in Hamilton June 7-11, 2011. All Scotiabank branches across Canada will sell lapel pins, the proceeds of which will provide financial assistance to participants from around the world who could otherwise not afford to attend the Conference. Scotiabank, which is the premier sponsor of the conference, officially launched the fundraising drive today at its Hamilton Main branch with hopes of surpassing funds raised during the last PIN Fundraising Campaign held in 2008. The Conference is held every three years and Scotiabank has been the premier sponsor since its inception 15 years ago.

"Through our Scotiabank Bright Future global philanthropic program, we are proud to continue its support of this conference because of the high importance our employees and our customers attach to preventing and treating this widespread disease," said Sylvia Chrominska, Group Head and Executive Vice President, Global Human Resources and Communications, Scotiabank. "As a global employer with operations in fifty countries around the world we recognize the importance of bringing people together in one place to exchange information, share experiences, and develop new and innovative solutions."

The Scotiabank PIN Campaign for the 5^th World Conference on Breast Cancer held in Winnipeg in 2008, raised $120,930 to aid conference attendees.  The Bank provided an additional $120,930 in matching funds. This pool of funds subsidized conference fees for breast cancer survivors - including people from every province and territory in Canada and from 32 countries around the world.

A highlight of the 2011 World Conference on Breast Cancer will be a designated Youth Day to promote youth awareness and education.  Building on the successful introduction of a youth focus at the 5^th Conference in Winnipeg, conference organizers hope to attract up to 200 young people from Hamilton and surrounding area high schools, universities and other youth from around the world. At today's fundraising launch, Youth Day Organizer, Lorna Larsen, provided a preview of the Youth Day agenda and shared data from The Public Health Agency of Canada stating that over 900 women in Canada and 400 women in Ontario between the ages of 15 and 39 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

"Raising awareness of early detection among young women is an important step to getting the attention of the younger generation with the message that you are never too young," said Leila Springer, President, 6^th World Conference on Breast Cancer. It is critical to reducing the number of incidences in young people."

Scotiabank has been the premier sponsor of the WCBC since its first event in 1997 in Kingston.  Other previous host cities were Ottawa (2000), Victoria (2002), Halifax (2005) and Winnipeg (2008).

"We look forward to working with the World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation to host the 2011 event," said Shawn Goddard, Scotiabank Vice-President, Hamilton and Niagara District. "Our employees are already working very hard to help raise funds for the event and many will volunteer at the conference."

The concept behind the World Conference on Breast Cancer originated 15 years ago in Kingston.  Founded by a group of breast cancer survivors, the conference has grown into a multi-disciplinary, international gathering that allows women and men from around the world to engage in discussion and develop valuable tools to assist them in their journey with breast cancer.  The 6^th World Conference on Breast Cancer in Hamilton will provide opportunities to educate and share information on all aspects of breast cancer: research, diagnosis, treatment, support, prevention, outreach and education.  For additional information and to register for the Conference please visit www.wcbcf.ca.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.