Sears National Kids Cancer Ride Arrives in Halifax, completing a 7,000 KM Journey Across Canada

Community Invited to Welcome the Cyclists on Saturday, September 21 at Sears Halifax at 12:00 PM and Point Pleasant Park at 1:30 PM

HALIFAX, Sept. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Over the past 17 days 26 cyclists have journeyed across Canada to raise funds for children living with and beyond cancer.  They dipped their wheels in the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver, BC on September 5 and arrive in Halifax on September 21.

The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride (SNKCR) is the world's longest charitable cycling event on behalf of childhood cancer.  As the cyclists arrive in Halifax for the ceremonial front wheel dip in the Atlantic at Point Pleasant Park, they will have covered over 7,000 km.

"Sears Canada, through generous contributions from our customers and associates, is proud to raise awareness and funds to help support children and their families living with and beyond cancer," said Calvin McDonald, President and CEO, Sears Canada, who himself cycled from Regina to Toronto with the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. "Whether you ride, volunteer or donate, you are helping secure the funds for research that will increase the survival rate of childhood cancer in the future."

The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride funds programs that improve the lives of children living with cancer as well as those recovering from the physical and emotional scars that can be part of survivorship. With a 100% donation model, over $7 million has been raised and donated since 2008, and money raised this year will again be used to fund both national and provincial pediatric hematology and oncology research programs.

"Money raised is critical in helping fund programs that can improve the survival rates and the quality of life for children fighting this horrible disease," said Jeff Rushton, Co-Founder and passionate volunteer of Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation (CTCACF), a volunteer-based registered Canadian charitable foundation focused on improving health outcomes and quality of life of children and families impacted by cancer. The Foundation develops and conducts events like the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride in communities across Canada. "With each kilometer pedaled, collectively we will enrich the quality of life of Canadian children burdened by this devastating disease. Every donation helps another child to just be able to be a kid."

Cancer is the leading cause of non-accidental death in children in Canada. Each year, about 1,400 children are diagnosed with cancer.  More children die of cancer each year than asthma, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and congenital anomalies combined. Childhood cancer is very different from adult cancer and places its own unique demands on our healthcare system.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.SearsNationalKidsCancerRide.com or call 1.866.381.4446.

The Sears Canada Charitable Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that collects and distributes donations to charitable organizations that support Sears Canada's community investment mandate, which is focused on the healthy development of children and youth in areas of both health and education.  The health component is centered on raising awareness and providing funds for research and treatment for the fight against childhood cancer. The education component is centered on after-school programs and initiatives, which enrich children's lives and allow them to reach their full potential as contributing members of society.

SOURCE Sears Canada Inc.