CANADIAN TEEN TO CLIMB ‘MOUNTAIN OF HOPE' IN SUPPORT OF THE CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION

13-year-old commits to a lofty $1 million fundraising goal to help find a cure for 10,000 Canadian kids living with cancer

(Toronto, Canada -- Tuesday, March 21, 2006) Brandon Schupp climbed his first 10,000-foot mountain when he was 12. Last fall, Brandon’s four-year-old friend, Cole, faced his own uphill battle when he was diagnosed with cancer. That's when the London, Ontario teen joined forces with the Toronto-based charitable organization, The Childhood Cancer Foundation, to climb his next mountain to support Cole and the 10,000 other Canadian children living with cancer. 

On July 24, 2006, Brandon, now 13, will begin a historic two-week ascent of 10,000-foot Good Hope Mountain in British Columbia - that's one foot for every child in Canada currently experiencing cancer. When Brandon and his climb team reach the summit of Good Hope, he wants Canadians to have raised $1 million for childhood cancer research - $100 for every foot he has climbed. 

From across the country, individuals, families, community groups, small businesses and large corporations will be "adopting" each foot of the Good Hope Mountain climb, making personal contributions, running their own fundraisers and donating on-line to help Brandon reach his goal.

The Childhood Cancer Foundation has named this campaign Mountain of Hope -- its largest-ever single fundraising initiative to help find better treatments and cures for kids with cancer. School children in Amherstburg, Ontario have kicked off the campaign by collecting change and raising more than $3,600 in just a few weeks. First-year students at the University of King's College in Halifax are organizing a head-shaving/hair-cutting event in the quad on April 7; and marathon runners on the West Coast are banding together to form a Mountain of Hope team for the Vancouver Marathon in May.

"There's such power in kids helping other kids," says David Stones, President & CEO of the Foundation. "We could all take a lesson from the Brandons of the world. He wants to make a difference - and he will - both now and in the years to come."

"I love climbing," Brandon says. "It's exhilarating and the mountains are so beautiful. But I want to do it for more than just fun. By climbing for the Foundation, I want to raise awareness about childhood cancer, as well as raise funds for research. I want there to be hope for kids like Cole and his parents - for the 10,000 children living with cancer in Canada today. A 100% cure rate for childhood cancer isn't that far away and I want to help us get there."

When Brandon is 18, he plans to climb Mount Everest. Until then he will train harder, climb more mountains and encourage Canadians to raise money and increase hope that we will come closer to finding a cure for Cole and thousands more Canadian kids.

For more information about the Mountain of Hope Campaign, or to donate on-line, please visit www.childhoodcancer.ca and click on "Mountain of Hope." 

About the Childhood Cancer Foundation Canada:
Founded in 1987, the Childhood Cancer Foundation is the only national charity dedicated entirely to the fight against childhood cancer in Canada. The Foundation provides support programs, funds research and advocates for children and their families who are affected by cancer.

Every month, 125 Canadian children are diagnosed with cancer, adding to the 10,000 across the country already in treatment. Each year, we will lose 25% of these young lives and 30,000 years of potential life. 

The Foundation recently formed an alliance with the Council of Canadian Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Directors, representing all 17 children’s hospitals and cancer treatment centres across Canada. Through this unique partnership, the Foundation directly funds nationwide childhood cancer research and supports clinical trials provided through the Children’s Oncology Group.

The Foundation and its rally cry, "We Will Win," is the voice of hope for all Canadian children with cancer and their families.

For more information about childhood cancer and the Foundation, please visit www.childhoodcancer.ca

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For further information and to contact Brandon for interviews:
Mary Lye, Director, Marketing and Communications
Childhood Cancer Foundation Canada
416 489-6440 x19
1 800 363-1062

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