UFCW Canada lifetime fundraising for leukemia research and support reaches $33.9 million

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 22, 2015) - UFCW Canada's decades-long campaign to help raise awareness and find a cure for leukemia and other blood cancers has now reached $33.9 million, following the announcement of the latest fundraising drive at the UFCW Canada 26th Annual UFCW Canada Leukemia Gala on July 19. The event highlights the latest annual fundraising efforts of UFCW Canada (United Food and Commercial Workers Union) members, family members, and Local Unions on behalf of the the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC).

At the gathering, UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema announced that the union's fundraising efforts over the past 12 months had raised over $2.5 million. The money raised goes to support LLSC research to find a cure and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and other blood cancers, as well as raise awareness of these diseases and reach out to those suffering from blood cancers.

"Once again, UFCW Canada members, their families, and our community partners have proven their commitment to the thousands of Canadians affected by leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers," says UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema. "Each year we renew our commitment to fight these diseases, and the money that we raise for research, education, and outreach continues to save many lives."

Since UFCW Canada began its fundraising three decades ago, the research it supports has led to therapies that mean today the majority of children with leukemia will beat their cancer and go on to lead full lives. Other blood cancers are also being beaten into remission by new drugs and therapies developed through UFCW Canada research support.

Throughout the year, UFCW Canada members and community allies organize and participate in numerous fundraising activities - including raffles, community picnics, 50-50 draws, car washes, sports tournaments, ride-a-thons, marathons, relays, and Light the Night walks.

Another pillar of the union's fundraising efforts, in partnership with The Beer Store, is the "Returns for Leukemia" bottle drive, in which UFCW Canada Local 12R24 activists help collect the donation of deposits on bottle returns at The Beer Store locations across Ontario and donate the proceeds to the LLSC. This year's "Returns for Leukemia" bottle drive raised an incredible $1.72 million dollars.

The $33.9 million raised in its lifetime leukemia fundraising efforts makes UFCW Canada the LLSC's largest community supporter and annual source of donations for the Society's research, support and education efforts in the ongoing fight against blood cancers.