Manulife Run for Research: Supporting groundbreaking medical research at Sunnybrook

Toronto, ON - Families, staff, volunteers, pets and community members will have some pep in their step as they walk and run in the 2006 Manulife Run for Research this Sunday. The 5 km fun-run raises money to benefit the Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Research is a significant component of Sunnybrook’s commitment to academic excellence. Each year the organization spends more than $85 million on research activities that develop vital medical breakthroughs. It helps our scientists to continue working to understand and prevent diseases, improve patient care and discover life-enhancing treatments.

Since its beginning in 1982, the Manulife Run for Research has raised over $2.6 million for research initiatives in our seven strategic programs: Cancer, Cardiac, Musculoskeletal, Neurosciences, Perinatal and Gynaecology, Trauma and Critical Care and Aging and Population Health. The event has funded research that has led to significant medical breakthroughs, expanded health care education, new technologies and facilities development. Mostly, it has allowed Sunnybrook to distinguish itself as a leader in academic research excellence, which translates into exceptional patient care.

Toronto Marlies centre Kris Newbury and team mascot Duke the Dog will be in attendance to boost the energy of participants and sign autographs, and Kathleen Wynne, MPP Don Valley West, will fire the starting pistol. Children can have their faces painted, meet Franklin the Turtle and enjoy lots of other activities, all free to registered participants. The crowd will be entertained by the high-energy duo, the Stylamanders and the Tectonics, lead by Sunnybrook’s own Dr. Cameron Guest. It is a day for the entire family.

The Manulife Run for Research takes place this Sunday May 28, 2006 at its new location in Wilket Creek Park, with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. and the event at 10:30 a.m. At 11:15 a.m. the crowd will salute our veterans, proud participants again this year. Individuals and families can participate by either running or walking the 5 km route and pets are welcome. Participants can register at www.runforresearch.com and inquiries can be directed to the run hotline at 416-480-6777.