Cyclists Raise $135,000 for Kids With Cancer at 14th Annual Ride for Karen

TORONTO, ON --(Marketwired - September 14, 2015) - Hundreds of cyclists from across Ontario participated in Ride for Karen this past weekend -- an annual cycling event that raises money to support programs for children with cancer and their families, such as Camp Quality, Camp Oochigeas and Camp Trillium. The ride started and ended at the Markham Fair Grounds with cyclists winding through the countryside north of Toronto, passing through Markham, Aurora, Newmarket and Uxbridge.

The event featured courses for riders of all ages and fitness levels. Cyclists looking for a more physical challenge opted for the 100 km and 160 km routes, while the 25 km course was popular among families riding together. A Kids Fun Ride set up on the Fair Grounds attracted tikes on trikes, training-wheels and two-wheelers who did their part to support the cause.

This year, riders raised $135,000. Scotiabank's sponsorship of the ride allows for 100% of proceeds to be donated to charity.

"Camp is something that all kids should have the opportunity to experience and the Ride ensures that, despite illness, kids can do so in an environment with all of the necessary medical needs and precautions in place," says Phil Smith, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Operations, Global Banking and Markets, Scotiabank. "Scotiabank is proud to be involved with the Ride for Karen, which brings together families and the community to raise money for organizations that support children living with cancer."

Since it began in 2002, Ride for Karen has raised more than $2.15 million to help build and furnish new cancer care facilities, provide much needed resources for cancer support centres and send kids with cancer to camp. The ride was founded by Kirk and Kris Tobias as a tribute to their mother, Karen Tobias, who passed away from breast cancer.

"We're thankful for the support from Scotiabank, which ensures that 100% of money raised goes directly to helping children with cancer," says Ride for Karen co-founder, Kirk Tobias. "While battling cancer, our mother wanted to inspire hope and joy for all those around her, and Ride for Karen participants, volunteers and sponsors are doing just that -- inspiring hope, and sharing the joy of camp with children with cancer."

Approximately 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in Canada and another 10,000 are already living with cancer or its long-term effects.

About Ride for Karen

Started in 2002, Ride for Karen is an annual cycling event that is held as a tribute to the life and legacy of Karen Tobias and to raise money for charities that help people living with cancer, and those who care for them. Over the past 12 years, Ride for Karen has raised over $2 million which has been used to help build and furnish new cancer care facilities, provide much needed resources for cancer support centres and send kids with cancer to camp.

About Scotiabank

Through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice,products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 87,000 employees and assets of $863 billion (as at July 31, 2015), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto BNS and New York Exchanges BNS. Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

For more information:
Sinead Brown / Kay West
Paradigm Public Relations
(416) 203-2223
sbrown@paradigmpr.ca / kwest@paradigmpr.ca

Erin Truax
Public and Corporate Affairs
Scotiabank
(416) 933-2592
erin.truax@scotiabank.com