Thursday, December 6, 2012

CHL AND MEMBER CLUBS RAISE OVER $175,000 IN SUPPORT OF MOVEMBER

Press Release


Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the results of a league-wide fundraising initiative where 50 teams consisting of 792 registered members raised $175,583 through their participation in Movember in support of men’s health and prostate cancer awareness.

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in Canada and around the world.  The annual month-long moustache growing and appreciation charity event helps raise vital funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer. 

“Congratulations to all Movember participants for their energy and commitment that helped the Canadian Hockey League collectively raise over $175,000 this season for such a worthy cause,” said CHL President David Branch.  “It’s been incredible to see the growth of this program in just two years through the outstanding support our players and teams receive from friends, family, sponsors and fans across the CHL.”

By raising over $175,000 last month, the CHL’s Movember campaign successfully improved on the 2011 campaign where 39 teams and 563 registered members raised over $128,000 representing an increase in over $47,000 and brings the CHL’s two-year fundraising total to over $303,000. 

For the second straight year the “MOfficials” were the top fundraising team in the CHL Movember Network.  A group of 178 Western Hockey League officials, the “MOfficials” raised $61,139 and finished as the 12th ranked team in Canada after raising $33,445 and finishing ranked 33rd as a group last season.  The “MOfficials” will be presented once again with the CHL’s Movember trophy and will be recognized for their efforts at an upcoming WHL game.  The WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers led all clubs in fundraising with $17,276 raised, followed by last year’s top team the Calgary Hitmen who raised $13,971.  The Owen Sound Attack led the Ontario Hockey League in Movember fundraising and finished eighth in the CHL Network with $5,122 raised.  For the second straight year the PEI Rocket led the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in fundraising  and finished tenth in the CHL Network with $4,525 raised.

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Miles Koules led all CHL players in individual fundraising.  The 18-year-old rookie from Los Angeles, CA,  raised $5,336 to edge last year’s top earning player Patrick McGrath of the PEI Rocket.  The 19-year-old from Wilkes-Barre, PA, continued his impressive individual fundraising efforts with $4,525 raised this season. 
The CHL Movember Network ranked 12th among all registered networks in Canada and helped contribute to the over $37 million raised by participants across Canada and the $117 million raised worldwide representing an increase of about $9 million over last year’s totals. 

The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and men’s health partner, Prostate Cancer Canada.  Together the two channels work together to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programs in line with strategic goals in the areas of awareness, education, survivorship, prostate cancer research, male mental health, and influencing change in men’s health.


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

No comments: