MONTREAL, Dec. 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The founder of the Défi Canderel challenge, Mr. Jonathan Wener, Chairman of the Board of Canderel Management Inc, remitted two cheques totalling 1.25 million dollars to the representatives of two Montreal cancer research centres, the Montreal Cancer Institute, affiliated with the Université de Montréal, and the Rosalind and Morris Goodman cancer Centre at McGill University.

The donated amounts are the net proceeds of the 29th edition of the Défi Canderel that raised a record 1.5 million dollar sum. The Défi Canderel will soon celebrate its 30th anniversary on May 9, 2019. The event was created by Jonathan Wener when his wife Susan was diagnosed with colon cancer. He wanted to get involved in order to make a difference in the fight against cancer and thus launched a challenge within the business community: he invited business partners and suppliers to participate in the fight against cancer by providing donations that were invested in cancer research. Numerous corporations responded to his call and participated loyally and generously year after year, demonstrating a spirit of cooperation in the face of adversity.

“Cancer is a disease that touches us all.  By working together and engaging the community, collectively we have the ability to make a difference in the lives of our friends, family, neighbours and co-workers.” Jonathan Wener

Since the Défi’s creation in 1989, more than 15 million dollars have been raised and awarded to the two beneficiary research centres. These amounts were invested to fund innovative cancer research projects, to award scholarships for young scientists, to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and to finance other projects identified as priorities to the two research centres.

The 30th anniversary fundraising campaign is currently well underway with the ambitious goal of raising in excess of 2 million dollars. It will culminate in a fun run that will be held on May 9, 2019, in downtown Montreal.

About Canderel Management Inc.:

Canderel creates long-lasting relationships with partners and clients by providing exceptional value in property acquisition, development and management, construction, leasing, marketing, and asset management.

About the Montreal Cancer Institute:

The Institut du cancer de Montréal is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support fundamental and clinical research while preparing the next generation of cancer researchers through education and training.

About the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Centre for Cancer research:

The Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre (GCRC) is an internationally renowned research institution, committed to coordinating and conducting independent basic cancer research and training within a technologically advanced Centre.

Information:
Louise Lafleur
Executive director of the Défi Canderel
Llafleur@canderel.com
514-261 7245

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7c566579-dd66-43df-88f5-e527e2282288