NEWS RELEASE
THE HONOURABLE JIM WATSON & ROSE REISMAN JOIN VON CANADA
FOR FIRST ANNUAL WALK-RUN-ROLL FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
For immediate release
OTTAWA, May 13, 2006 - To mark the beginning of VON Week, VON Canada staff,
volunteers and community supporters launched VON’s inaugural Walk-Run-Roll for
Healthy Communities from the Experimental Farm in Ottawa this morning.
The Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario Minister of Health Promotion and Rose Reisman,
one of Canada’s leading authorities on the art of eating and living well and national
spokesperson for the VON Walk Run Roll led the event. Also in attendance were Mr.
Royal Galipeau, MP for Ottawa-Orleans, Mike Martin of Telus and Anju Malhotra from the
ScotiaBank. The event was emceed by Marianne Zahoruk, of The Jewel, 98.5 FM. The
warm up session was led by Goodlife Fitness.
The VON Walk-Run-Roll for Healthy Communities is a national fundraising and awareness
event with a unique twist – a 108-day fitness challenge component. The 108 days reflects
the 108 years that VON has been serving Canadians. The fitness challenge enforces
VON’s commitment of building healthier communities through healthier lifestyle choices.
“An active lifestyle is crucial towards achieving a better quality of life, “ said Rose Riesman,
author of 14 best selling healthy living cookbooks and official spokesperson of the event.
“The VON Walk Run Roll for Healthy Communities is about promoting health and wellness
long term while supporting charitable programs that will improve the health of millions of
Canadians.”
Funds raised through this event will support local charitable programs, such as Meals on
Wheels, Volunteer Visiting, School Breakfast programs and more than 50 different
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services designed to meet the health and social needs of Canadians. The event was
launched in 34 communities across Canada.
National sponsors for the VON Walk-Run-Roll for Healthy Communities include TELUS,
Dairy Farmers of Canada, The Running Room, Play advertising, Rx&D, Scotiabank and
Air Canada.
"At TELUS, we believe in helping Canadians build stronger relationships with their
healthcare providers, helping to improve their access to health services and health-related
initiatives in their communities. Forming strategic partnerships with industry leaders like
VON and supporting the VON National Walk-Run-Roll Fitness Challenge is a reflection of
that commitment, and we're very pleased to be part of an event that will create real
awareness of the importance of healthcare to Canadians," said Barry Rivelis, vicepresident of TELUS Business Solutions.
“We are proud to associate our Healthy Weight program to VON Canada and its inaugural
Walk-Run-Roll for Healthy Communities as this activity fits perfectly with our current
initiatives to encourage Canadians to eat well and be active everyday”, says Isabelle
Neiderer, Nutrition Director at Dairy Farmers of Canada.
VON is a national health organization and registered charity offering a wide range of
community health care solutions that meet the needs of Canadians from coast to coast.
VON is committed to continuous quality improvement and has earned Canadian Council of
Health Services accreditation.
-30For more information contact:
Jennifer Stevens
Communications Manager
VON Canada
Cellular: 613 296-7803