Toronto, ON (May 17, 2010) - Shoot For A Cure teams up with the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation for the second annual Honda Indy Toronto Walk Run ‘N Wheel-a-thon, to be held in downtown Toronto on Thursday, July 15, 2010 in support of spinal cure research. On the eve of the Honda Indy Toronto, participants and families will have the once-in–a-lifetime opportunity to do a 5km run, and a 2.8km walk and wheel to the finish line on a professional racetrack, just hours before the IZOD IndyCar Series drivers start their engines.
Participants can register online at www.shootforacure.org for a nominal pre-registration fee of $25, which is waived if $150 dollars is fundraised in support of the cause. Alternatively, participants can registration for $30 at the event.
“The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is committed to finding a cure for the loss of generalized or localized muscle function in order to better the lives of the millions of people affected by the condition,” commented Ida Cahill, president of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. “These types of partnerships create the opportunity to combine resources and talent. Our association with Shoot For A Cure Moto-Sport is particularly special since racing fans will have the opportunity to actually run, walk and wheel in the tire tracks of their favorite drivers.”
After a successful inaugural event last year that raised just under $15,000, Barry Munro, Chairman of the Canadian Spinal Research Organization’s Shoot For A Cure Moto-Sport campaign, anticipates an even bigger fundraiser, attracting double the amount of participants from the first year. “We recognize that a collective effort provides strength; it is through our partnerships with the Honda Indy Toronto team, The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, the entire Indy Car family and the local safety and awareness groups that we are able create such a unique event,” Munro adds.
A victory party will take place immediately following the race at the start/finish line where there will be a live performance by Toronto band, EZ Street. Guests will have the opportunity to take photos with the IZOD IndyCar pace vehicles and IZOD IndyCar drivers. Recording artist Sara Westbrook will sing the national anthem to kick off the event, and will also grace the stage for two songs with EZ Street. Sara has a special connection to the event, as her husband George Westbrook broke his back as a result of a hockey accident, and was lucky to walk again thanks to advancements in spinal research.
“The Honda Indy Toronto is more than a world-class motorsports event,” said Charlie Johnstone, Vice President and General Manager of Honda Indy Toronto. “Adding this important fundraiser opens the site to more people and harnesses the prestige of the drivers and the event to raise money for a good cause.”
Business teams will have the opportunity to participate in a Corporate Challenge by registering to compete against other corporations in an effort to raise money and awareness for the cause while providing the opportunity for a fun teambuilding exercise.
All proceeds will benefit Shoot For a Cure Moto-Sport and the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. Additional beneficiaries include the Sunnybrook Toronto Rehab Foundations.
Registration: www.shootforacure.org
For more information, visit www.shootforacure.org
For more information, visit www.samschmidt.org.