SECOND ANNUAL SKATE WITH DANIEL

Proceeds in support of b.r.a.i.n.child

THORNHILL – The Second Annual Skate with Daniel 2008 will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Thornhill Community Centre West Arena located at 7755 Bayview Avenue. Funds raised will support b.r.a.i.n.child at the Hospital for Sick Children for paediatric and adult brain tumour research.

The Skate with Daniel is supported by the National Hockey League Players Association. “The NHLPA wishes Daniel and the 2nd Annual Skate with Daniel 2008 great success,” said Eric Lindros, NHLPA Ombudsman. “The b.r.a.i.n.child fundraising event is held for a great cause and all NHLPA members congratulate everyone involved.”

Last year over 100 children were diagnosed with a brain tumour at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Brain tumours are the second most common childhood malignancy after leukemia. The cause of brain tumors remains unknown and at this time there is no way to predict or prevent a brain tumour.

Daniel was diagnosed with a brain tumour in the winter of 2007 and received treatment over a couple of months. Daniel had to take a break from his favourite sport of hockey. Last spring his friends and family got together for Skate with Daniel. Daniel played the game and he even scored the winning goal.

The goal of the Second Annual Skate with Daniel 2008 is to do something for Daniel and others who are suffering from this illness. The event includes mini hockey tournaments and various fundraising initiatives such as a balloon pop and amazing silent auction that features items such as a Toronto Maple Leaf hockey stick signed by the team, Toronto Raptors signed jersey, Darcy Tucker signed jersey, Oshawa Generals luxury suite for a hockey game, Oshawa Generals Hockey pair of season tickets, John Tavares signed 18”x24” framed photo, Maple Leafs/Toronto Raptors/ Blue Jay tickets and many more exciting items. Also, Edmonton Oiler Andrew Cogliano will be in attendance for autographs and pictures from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“I am looking forward to seeing all my friends and supporters at this year’s event. It has grown so much from last year. The organizing committee has done an amazing job for me and for b.r.a.i.n.child. Thank you to everyone for your support,” said Daniel Bertoia. 

Come on out and support the event. If you cannot make the event, donations are greatly appreciated and tax receipts are available. Please make cheques payable to b.r.a.i.n.child, c/o SickKids with note ‘Skate with Daniel’. Donations can be mailed to: SickKids Foundation, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8.

For additional information, contact the organizing Committee Co-chairs Jennifer Goffenberg at (905) 762-1741 or e-mail jgoffenberg@rogers.com or Ali Torabi at (416) 579-4141 or e-mail torabi@azti.com