TORONTO, ON - May 31, 2015 /CNW/ - On Sunday, May 31, Toronto's corporate community raised more than $350,000 for Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) during the Step Up Challenge, presented by Scotiabank. Thirty teams of five were challenged to climb over 5,000 ft of stairs while raising a minimum of $5,000.

"Step Up is always a fun and incredibly athletic event to do," said Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Prostate Cancer Canada. "Toronto really had an incredible turnout this year, stepping up to raise vital awareness and funds for a disease that affects 1 in 8 men. To everyone who participated in this challenge, whether in Calgary, Vancouver or Toronto, we will demonstrate our gratitude by investing the nearly $670,000 raised by these events in the most promising prostate cancer research."

"Scotiabank is proud to support the Step Up Challenge," said Bryce Stewart, Scotiabank's Director of Corporate Finance for Global Investment Banking and team captain of one of Scotiabank's Step Up Challenge teams. "Congratulations to everyone who took part this year. It was inspiring to see everyone's teamwork, energy and enthusiasm as we climbed our cities' tallest buildings for a great cause.

Today's top team, Great Gulf, raised $68,637.57. One hundred percent of the proceeds from today's event will go toward funding prostate cancer research.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to affect Canadian men. It is important to get screened regularly so that if you do develop prostate cancer, the appropriate action can be taken. Prostate Cancer Canada recommends that men in their 40s have a PSA test in order to establish their baseline. The survival rate for prostate cancer can be over 90% when detected early.

About Prostate Cancer Canada
Prostate Cancer Canada develops, offers and funds innovative programs related to awareness and public education, advocacy, support of those affected, and research into the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of prostate cancer. For more information, please visit prostatecancer.ca or follow us on Twitter @ProstateCancerC or Facebook at Prostate Cancer Canada.

About Scotiabank
Through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking. With a team of more than 86,000 employees and assets of $837 billion (as at April 30, 2015) Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using CNW. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews