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NAV CANADA raises more than $1 million for cancer research

Aug. 11, 2011, Ottawa - NAV CANADA and its employees in the National Capital Region and Cornwall have together raised $1,049,000 in just four years to support cancer treatment and research at The Ottawa Hospital - more than doubling the Company's original goal of $500,000 over five years.


August 11, 2011  By Carey Fredericks

The million-dollar mark was surpassed in the Company's annual employee fund-raising campaign for 2011, which concluded on the weekend with the presentation of a ceremonial cheque to The Ottawa Hospital for $300,000, reflecting employee donations, special events and a corporate match. The five-year campaign, which began in 2008, has raised the following amounts so far: $205,000 in 2008, $244,000 in 2009, $300,000 in 2010, and $300,000 in 2011 for the $1,049 million total.

The amounts raised in 2010 and 2011 are being directed toward The Ottawa Hospital's ground-breaking research into oncolytic viruses for the treatment of cancer. This research effort is led by Dr. John Bell, Senior Scientist, Cancer Therapeutics, and his team at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Previous support in 2008 and 2009 went toward the construction and equipping of a chemotherapy treatment bay and other much-needed equipment at The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre.

"NAV CANADA employees have made this campaign their own" said John Crichton, President and CEO of NAV CANADA. "I am proud of their community spirit and their determination to make a difference in both the treatment of cancer, and in the exciting, world-class research underway in Ottawa to fight this disease."

This year's $300,000 cheque was presented to Dr. Michael McBurney, Program Director of Cancer Therapeutics at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, who was joined by Tim Kluke, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. "On behalf of everyone at the Ottawa Hospital – staff, volunteers and especially our patients – I want to sincerely thank the employees of NAV CANADA for their tremendous generosity," said McBurney. (see photo).

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Brian Aitken, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer and the 2011 Campaign Chair expressed his appreciation to all the employee donors and the Company's suppliers who supported the campaign. "I also want to thank my team of captains, canvassers, and everyone who took part in this initiative. They took up the challenge from previous years, and brought our campaign to this significant, million-dollar milestone".

Last year, NAV CANADA was awarded the Philanthropic Group Award by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, the only Company to have been awarded this distinction. A plaque recognizing the generosity of NAV CANADA employees is now on permanent display in the patient waiting area of The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre.

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