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Right Honourable Jean Chrétien
Welcomes Children's Miracle Network Champions Ottawa, Ontario &endash; April 4, 2001 &endash; The Right
Honourable, Jean Chrétien today, with the honourable Peter Milliken, Speaker
of the House of Commons, welcomed 12 Children's Miracle Network (CMN)
Champions during a reception at Parliament Hill hosted in their honour. For
the fifth consecutive year, the Champions came from across the country to
visit Ottawa as part of the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) &endash;
Champions Across Canada program. "Visiting Ottawa and meeting the Prime Minister is a once in a
lifetime experience for the Champions and their families." said Maureen
Sheahan, Senior Vice President, Children's Miracle Network Canadian
Operations. "The Champions Across Canada are the special representatives
of the more than two-million children treated at children's hospitals and
foundations across Canada each year." While in Ottawa, the Champions and their families visited the Children's
museum in Hull and were treated to a special tour of Ottawa and Parliament
Hill - all of which would not have been possible without the continued
support of the IOF Foresters. Since 1990, as the title sponsor of the
Champions Across America and the Champions Across Canada programs, the
organization has contributed more than US $15 million in support of
children's hospitals throughout North America. "We at IOF Foresters are inspired by the courage and determination of
the Children's Miracle Network Champions," said Michael White, President
& CEO of IOF Foresters. "Through our involvement with organizations
like Children's Miracle Network and the volunteerism of our members, we are
making a difference in the lives of these Champion children and millions of
others like them. Seeing the spirit of these children and their families make
us all want to do more to help." Early on April 5th, the Champions will leave Ottawa and fly to Walt Disney
World in Orlando, Florida, where they will share their miracle stories during
the pre-taped portion of the "Children's Miracle Network Celebration
2001" - the world's largest annual television fundraiser airing on June
2nd and 3rd, 2001. One of Canada's leading recording artists and songwriters, Susan Aglukark,
will accompany the Champions throughout their adventure, as one of the
Children's Miracle Network Canada spokespersons. "Being involved with Children's Miracle Network and having the
opportunity to meet these Champions and their families has been very
inspirational for me," said Aglukark. "Their courage and love of
life deserves to be celebrated and warrants our continued support." Michael "Pinball" Clemons, head coach for the Toronto Argonauts,
is also a Children's Miracle Network spokesperson and was on hand to cheer on
the Champions during their visit to Ottawa. "I am so proud to be part of this team," said Clemons. "I
have had the opportunity to play with a lot of champions in my football
career, but the Children's Miracle Network Champions could teach us all a
lesson in determination and 'can do' attitude." About Champions Across Canada The IOF Champions Across Canada program is an integral part of Children's
Miracle Network's annual campaign that works to raise awareness and funds for
Children's Miracle Network member hospitals and foundations, as well as
showcase the outstanding care they provide to more than two-million children
across the country. Each year, Children's Miracle Network's fundraising
efforts are highlighted by the live Children's Miracle Network Champions
television special from Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Children's
Miracle Network Telethons will be aired on TV stations across Canada in
conjunction with the Children's Miracle Network Champions in Orlando, Florida
June 2nd and 3rd. The hallmark of Children's Miracle Network Champions is
that 100 per cent of locally generated donations stay in the community in
which they were made to benefit the Children's Miracle Network hospital or
foundation serving that area. The Independent Order of Foresters is the title
sponsor of Champions Across Canada. About The Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) The Independent Order of Foresters (IOF Foresters) is a million- member
strong fraternal benefit society with members in the United States, Canada
and the United Kingdom. For more than 125 years, Foresters, a family-focused
organization, has been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of its
members and their communities, with a particular focus on the well being of
children. Foresters offers a range of financial products and services,
including life insurance and annuities, while also providing members with
fraternal benefits and unique opportunities to play meaningful roles in their
communities. About the Children's Miracle Network Children's Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization
whose mission is to generate funds and awareness programs to benefit children
and the 170 Children's Miracle Network-associated hospitals and health
foundations for children across Canada and the United States. Children's
Miracle Network hospitals specialize in the treatment of children and treat a
wide variety of afflictions such as cancer, birth defects, heart and muscular
diseases as well as accident victims. Since its inception in 1983, Children's Miracle Network has helped raise
more than $1.8 billion for its affiliated hospitals across North America. In
Canada, Children's Miracle Network has raised a total of $340 million,
treating some two million children per year. There are currently 11 Children's
Miracle Network affiliated hospitals, health centres and foundations in
Canada. For pictures and profiles of the children please visit www.cmncan.ca. -30- |