Lottery to raise funds for cancer treatment

August 11, 2010

Toronto, Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - Sunnybrook Foundation announced that the jewel-studded Glitter of Hope Lottery in support of Sunnybrook's Odette Cancer Centre launched today. The lottery draw will take place on December 1, 2010 at the Odette Cancer Centre.

The Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC) and Sunnybrook Foundation have partnered to raise funds for the Odette Cancer Centre's Breast Centre by offering $50,000 in prizes from Tiffany & Co., Birks, Gucci, Movado and other well-known jewellers.

"We are so pleased that Glitter of Hope will support our new Breast Centre," says Dr. Eileen Rakovitch, radiation oncologist and head of the Breast Cancer Care team at Sunnybrook's Odette Cancer Centre. "One in every 10 Canadian women diagnosed with breast cancer is treated at Sunnybrook."

The lottery will support the new Rapid Diagnosis Unit in the new Breast Centre. The Rapid Diagnosis Unit will provide any woman with a breast abnormality with a diagnosis within one week of her initial assessment, giving hope to more than 200 women each month who turn to Sunnybrook for answers.

"We are also home to specialized clinics like PYNK, supported by Rethink Breast Cancer, a breast cancer support program for young women. We've pioneered a targeted, low-dose radiation treatment that implants radiated seeds to radically reduce side effects for women with early-stage breast cancer," says Dr. Rakovitch. "The new Breast Centre will offer more women access to our team of breast-dedicated specialists, to lead important clinical trials of promising new therapies and conduct research that will improve cancer treatment and further tailor treatment for the individual woman."

Tickets for the Glitter of Hope Lottery are now available at hundreds of JVC member retailers across Ontario. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased by calling 1-866-696-2008 or email at glitterofhope@sunnybrook.ca

These fine jewelry pieces have been donated by members of the JVC, a non-profit association working in partnership with the RCMP to advance ethical practices within the Canadian jewelry industry.

For more information about Glitter of Hope and to see photos and information about all the prizes, visit glitterofhope.ca or email glitterofhope@sunnybrook.ca or call 1-866-696-2008. For more information about Sunnybrook's Odette Cancer Centre's Breast Cancer Care team, please visit http://breast.sunnybrook.ca.

About Sunnybrook's Odette Cancer Centre
Sunnybrook's Odette Cancer Centre offers today's most innovative cancer treatments while discovering tomorrow's cures by carrying out Canada's most advanced cancer research. Serving more than 10,000 new patients each year, we are the second largest cancer centre in Canada and among the top 10 in the world, with an international reputation in breast, colorectal and prostate cancer care.

About the Jewellers Vigilance Canada
An independent, non-profit association formed to advance ethical practices within the Canadian jewellery industry and is in full partnership with the RCMP.

JVC handles many different types of complaints from both within the industry and from consumers. The association works closely with the Competition Bureau. Jewellers Vigilance Canada is in partnership with the RCMP to help prevent fraudulent activity within this industry and provides crime prevention education.

For more information about the Breast Centre contact:

Natalie Chung-Sayers
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
E: natalie.chung-sayers@sunnybrook.ca
T: 416-480-4040

For more information about JVC contact:
T: 416-368-4840
E: info@jewellersvigilance.ca