AthletesCAN and Canadian Athletes Helping Haiti
OTTAWA (February 10, 2010) – It has been a month since the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti leaving the country and its people in dire need of our care and support. To date, Canada has been a global leader in the response to this emergency with the Canadian public donating over $16 million to help those rocked by the event which took the lives of over 200,000, injured 300,000 more, and demolished over 280,000 residences and commercial buildings affecting an estimated 3 million people, 2 million of those homeless. We can’t stop now. Since the initial quake hit, at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater have been recorded. Now, more than ever, help is needed in the relief effort.
Through our Athlete Social Responsibility initiative, AthletesCAN continues to search out ways to assist Canada’s athlete leaders to seize opportunities to engage in their communities and contribute positively to society. Currently, there is a trend towards athlete leaders taking a proactive stance on causes and organizations that have a positive effect on their community and on society as a whole. DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS/MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES (MSF) is one of those organizations in a position to help where help is needed around the globe.
Tom Hall, 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist and AthletesCAN Board of Director weighs in, “As the athlete rep for CanoeKayak Canada, I received a message from Corey Hamilton, Canadian national team kayaker, telling me he had put together a donation page for our sport on the MSF website to help the people of Haiti and thought it would be cool to challenge other sports to do the same. He asked me if AthletesCAN could put the challenge out to other sports to help make a difference in Haiti, an initiative we feel a responsibility to be a part of.” Tom adds, “This is an athlete led and athlete created initiative to help make a difference for those in need. I believe Corey demonstrated very clearly that athletes have more to give back than simply performances and podium results; athletes are leaders both on and off the field of play and Corey is a perfect example of how we can affect change.”
Already, our Canadian Canoers and Kayakers have donated upwards of $5000 – AthletesCAN challenges your sport to do better. Let's show the world that Canadian athletes care - DONATE NOW - every little bit helps!
To donate on behalf of your sport, click here.
About AthletesCAN
As the voice of Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN ensures an athlete centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture.
About DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS/MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES (MSF)
For more than 35 years, MSF has been providing medical help to people caught in many kinds of catastrophes: armed conflicts, natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, epidemics of disease, and famines. MSF is renowned for our quick response and efficient, effective work in the toughest emergencies. Their operations are launched in areas where there is no medical infrastructure or where the existing one cannot withstand the pressure to which it is subjected. In most cases, relief programs change to rehabilitation projects that may run for several years after the most urgent needs have been met.
For more information please contact:
Ashley Kilburn
Manager, Athlete Relations & Strategic Partnerships
AthletesCAN
301-1376 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON K1H 7Y3
613-526-4025 Office
613-526-9735 Fax
1-888-832-4222 Toll Free
www.athletescan.com
