Countdown to the 8th Annual Cedars CanSupport 'Rain or Shine' Dragon Boat Race and Festival

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 9, 2013) - The countdown to the 8^th Annual Cedars CanSupport 'Rain or Shine' Dragon Boat Race and Festival, presented by Fuller Landau, is officially on. Event organizers held a launch party for the festival on Wednesday, May 8 to welcome new participants and get returning ones excited for the upcoming race. Among the crowd of avid boaters were spokespersons Anthony Calvillo, Montreal Alouettes star quarterback, and his wife Alexia who were on hand to meet participants, sponsors, organizers and the media.

"The Launch Party is a wonderful way to get momentum going and officially begin the countdown to the Dragon Boat Festival," said Michael Newton, managing partner of Fuller Landau, presenting sponsor for the event, which is also fielding two boats. "Paddlers, organizers and our spokespersons were together under one roof, there was a buzz the air. Everybody is starting to get excited for September's event".

This year's goal is to raise more than $600,000 in an effort to help the CanSupport program of the Cedars Cancer Institute to continue providing free psychosocial, practical and humanitarian assistance for cancer patients and their families. Founded in 2006, the event has raised more than $2.8 million to date.

The festival itself will be held on Saturday, September 21^st, and at least 40 colourful dragon boats will take to the Lachine Canal, propelled by more than 800 participants, some coming from as far away as Ottawa, Ontario and Harrington, Quebec. Entering a dragon boat in the fun-filled fundraiser requires a minimum donation of $12,500. Spaces are still available to those interested in participating. To register a boat, visit www.cedarsdragons.ca.

"A $750 commitment per participant on a 20-person boat is what it takes to join the fun and make a difference in the lives of many," said Gwen Andrews Nacos, director and founder of Cedars CanSupport. "Many Canadians are facing a personal trial related to cancer. Saying yes to a day of fun, camaraderie and healthy competition is an easy and rewarding choice for participants, myself included."

Fuller Landau has been the presenting sponsor of the CanSupport Dragon Boat Race & Festival since 2008 and had some 40 employees participating in the 2012 event. In recognition of Fuller Landau's 50^th anniversary, they have decided to renew their commitment as title sponsors for the 2013 event.

About the Cedars Cancer Institute

The Cedars Cancer Institute is a hospital-based charity whose mission is to provide comprehensive cancer care for all cancer patients - pediatric, adolescent and young adult (AYA), adults and those in palliative care - who are being treated at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). The Cedars Cancer Institute fulfills this mission by providing much-needed funds to:

• Purchase state-of-the-art diagnostic oncology equipment
  
  
• Improve facilities for the treatment and care of cancer patients. Accomplishments include the creation of the Cedars Breast Clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital, renovations to Sarah's Floor - the hematology/oncology division at the Montreal Children's Hospital, renovations to the Palliative Care Unit at the Montreal General Hospital, and much more
  
  
• Run the Cedars CanSupport program, which offers free psychosocial, practical and humanitarian assistance to cancer patients and their families, as well as financial assistance through the Wilfrid Howick Humanitarian Endowment Fund
  
  
• Support cancer research through the Henry R. Shibata Fellowship Award
  
  
• Provide annual visiting professorships in oncology that bring world-renowned researchers, educators and physicians to the McGill teaching hospitals - the Vivian Saykaly Visiting Professorship in Medical Oncology and the Edward J. Tabah Visiting Professorship in Surgical Oncology
  
  
• Improve awareness of cancer-related issues through free public lectures and educational programs
  
  

About the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and The Best Care for Life Campaign

One of the world's foremost academic health centres, the MUHC offers exceptional and integrated patient-centric care, research, teaching and technology assessment. Affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University, it is highly committed to the continuum of care in its community. The partner hospitals of the MUHC-the Lachine Hospital, the Montreal Chest Institute, the Montreal General Hospital, the Montreal Neurological Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Montreal Children's Hospital- value multidisciplinary service throughout the lifespan, innovative technologies and practices, strategic partnerships and leadership in knowledge transfer. The MUHC is currently carrying out a $2.35-billion Redevelopment Project on three sites-the Glen, and the Montreal General and Lachine hospitals-designed to provide healthcare professionals with an effective environment in which to ensure patients and their families benefit from The Best Care for Life. The sites are also anchored in best sustainable-development practices, including LEED® and BOMA BESt guidelines www.muhc.ca www.muhc.ca/construction

The Best Care for Life Campaign is an unprecedented philanthropic effort aimed at raising the funds needed to complete the McGill University Health Centre's Redevelopment Project as well as the Capital Development Plan. www.muhc.ca/cause

About Fuller Landau LLP

Celebrating its 50^th year, Fuller Landau LLP is a full-service chartered professional accounting and business advisory firm. The professionals at Fuller Landau are a blend of young, dynamic partners and seasoned consultants working to improve the net worth of current and future clients. Praised by Canadian Business Magazine and Maclean's Magazine for its service offering and work environment, Fuller Landau provides a full range of financial services. The firm, founded in 1963, has more than 100 employees and is guided by its eight core principles: excellence, confidence, innovation, passion, leadership, creativity, team spirit, and empathy. Fuller Landau LLP is a founding member of the Leading Edge Alliance (www.leadingedgealliance.com), an international network of independently owned professional accounting and consulting firms. To learn more about Fuller Landau, visit www.flmontreal.com.