For Immediate Release
January 11, 2008
MP for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine supports teen’s ski for cancer effort
OTTAWA – The Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, Marlene Jennings, is proud to support young Jessie Krejcik in her upcoming effort to become the youngest person to earn the Coureur des Bois Gold Bar in the Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM). The 13 year old Notre-Dame-de-Grâce resident will cross-country ski 160 km over two days, carrying a minimum 5 kg backpack and camping outdoors on the night of Saturday, February 9.
“Not only is the individual effort required to complete such a race remarkable,” said Jennings, “but the fact that she is doing it as a way to raise money for children’s cancer treatment and research is truly commendable and I am proud to support her campaign.”
Jennings will be calling upon her fellow parliamentarians to support Jessie’s cause by making a donation to a children’s hospital of their choice in Jessie’s name once the House of Commons returns for its winter session on January 28th.
Jessie’s campaign is also gathering steam off of Parliament Hill as she has gained the support of a variety of organizations. Dr. Phil Gold, C.C., O.Q., M.D. PhD, Executive Director of McGill University’s Clinical Research Centre applauds Jessie’s efforts. Louise Dery-Goldberg, President of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation echoes this sentiment.
“It is my hope,” said Jennings, “that with the support of my fellow Members of Parliament, Jessie’s campaign can go national and support children’s hospitals across Canada.”
There are an estimated 10,000 children across Canada with cancer. Although the survival rate is steadily increasing, one quarter of these children will die within five years of diagnosis. Cancer thus remains the number one disease killer of North American children – more than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, asthma and AIDS combined.
To make a donation to a children’s hospital in Jessie’s name visit her blog at: http://jessie160k.wordpress.com/
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For More Information or to arrange an interview:
Murray Levine (media contact) – MurLev@gmail.com
Office of Hon. Marlene Jennings
613-995-2251
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