Media Release

News Release                

 

Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer                        From:  Lynette Hillier

Care Foundation                                                     Executive Director

 

 July 5, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Look Who’s Smiling in 2011

Smiling Land Foundation Confirms Cancer Care Foundation as 2011 Beneficiary for New Radiation Treatment Equipment

 

St. John’s, NL: Today, the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation has been announced as Smiling Land Foundation’s 2011 primary beneficiary through its annual Rockin’ Big Give fundraiser, providing much-needed funding for an advanced radiation treatment machine.  

 

Proceeds from the Rockin’ Big Give will be designated to a new $2.5 million campaign by the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation for the latest and most advanced radiation treatment machine on the market today, called “TrueBeam.” The Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation, together with Smiling Land Foundation, has accepted the challenge of ensuring that leading edge treatment equipment is available to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

“We are thrilled to be working with the dynamic Smiling Land Foundation team to raise funds for exciting new Radiation Treatment equipment for the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre.”, says Earl Ludlow, Chairman of the Foundation. “We encourage you to support the Rockin’ Big Give to help cancer patients in Newfoundland and Labrador!”

 

“Partnering with the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation provides a unique opportunity for us to contribute to the important cause of delivering critical advanced cancer care to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said Paul Sparkes, founding member and Chairman of Smiling Land Foundation. “For the past three years we have been able to deliver significant contributions to important causes in our home province, and we look forward to building on the momentum in 2011.”

 

Now in its fourth year, Smiling Land Foundation’s annual Rockin’ Big Give will return to Toronto’s legendary Masonic Temple on Saturday, December 3.  The event is modelled in the warm and welcoming spirit of an authentic East Coast kitchen party, offering a uniquely Canadian cultural celebration that also provides the opportunity to contribute to a worthwhile cause.

 

Since its inception in 2008, Smiling Land Foundation has donated $550,000 to charitable causes in Newfoundland and Labrador:

• 2008 – inaugural Rockin’ Big Give results in $150,000 donation to the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Place in St. John’s, a 24-suite community that provides accommodations, programs and support for patients who travel to St. John’s for treatment
• 2009 - $75,000 was donated each to The Stella Burry Foundation, an organization providing residential counselling, affordable housing development and employment programs to disadvantaged citizens, and The Vera Perlin Society, an organization providing various development and support programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities
• 2010 - Rockin’ Big Give raised $250,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Newfoundland and Labrador, offering comfortable and affordable accommodations for families from across Newfoundland and Labrador while children receive care and treatment

 

 

About the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation:

The Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation is a registered charitable organization whose mission is to raise funds to enhance treatment and supportive care programs for cancer patients, fund local cancer research initiatives and provide continuing education opportunities for staff of the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre and affiliated cancer programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. All funds raised by the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation remain in Newfoundland and Labrador. www.cancercarefoundation.nl.ca

 

 

About Smiling Land Foundation:

 

Smiling Land Foundation consists of five ordinary people with extraordinary plans and hearts to match. The Foundation’s Board of Directors consists of Paul Sparkes, Jennifer Bishop, Chris Henley, Seamus O’Regan and Tim Powers - proud Newfoundland and Labradorians who have come together for a common cause: to give back! The Foundation strives to spread Canada’s warm and welcoming East Coast culture and spirit through the Rockin’ Big Give fundraiser in support of a different Newfoundland and Labrador charity each year. This one-of-a-kind kitchen party held in Toronto is guaranteed to provide a unique cultural experience. For more information, please visit: www.smilingland.ca. 

 

Both the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation and the Smiling Land Foundation are on Facebook and you can follow us on Twitter – join us for all of the latest details on the fourth annual Rockin’ Big Give. 

 

 

For more information, please call:

Lynette Hillier, Executive Director

Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation

Call: (709) 777-7590

 

Matthew Garrow

Smiling Land Foundation

Call: (416) 859-5641