OttawaStart.com
April 10, 2006
By M. Collins

The National Arts Centre and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation are delighted to announce that their April 8 joint fundraiser, "A Soulful Evening of Blues", that featured blues guitarist Colin James, raised $80,000.

"Our joint benefit was a great success for both the NAC and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation," said NAC Foundation CEO Darrell Gregersen. "A very big thank you goes to Colin James for sharing his unbelievable talent with us in order to help two very good causes. We are also very grateful to the ORCF and are looking forward to continuing our partnership with them."

"The Cancer Foundation is proud of its partnership with the NAC and thankful to Ernst & Young, RBC Capital Markets and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP for their support and generosity," said Linda Eagen, Executive Director of the Cancer Foundation. "We are especially grateful to Peter Charbonneau, General Partner of Skypoint Capital, for the inspiration for this event and to the leaders from the high-tech, legal and accounting professions in attendance, all committed to enhancing cancer care and treatment in our region."

Other prominent guests included Terrence Matthews, Chairman of Mitel Networks, Peter Strom, President and CEO of March Networks, and George Cwynar, President and CEO of MOSAID.

Last year the first annual NAC/ORCF joint fundraiser featured singer Holly Cole and raised $60,000. That same year the NAC also teamed up with the ORCF by donating NAC Orchestra CDs to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre's chemotherapy wing so that patients could listen to music during their treatments. The project continues and has received positive feedback from patients.

The National Arts Centre is Canada's premier centre for the performing arts. It is home to the acclaimed National Arts Centre Orchestra, under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman, and is a leader in the presentation of classical and contemporary music, dance, variety, English language theatre, and French language theatre. The NAC is also in the forefront of youth and educational activities, including programs for young and emerging artists, programs for young audiences, and the production of programs and study materials for teachers.

The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation was established in 1995 by a team of inspired leaders who wanted first and foremost to create a powerful vehicle through which the Ottawa community could deploy its talents and resources in the fight against cancer.

Today, the Foundation is the rallying point for people who want to be active in the fight against cancer in Eastern Ontario. Last year, over 500 community volunteers partnered with the Foundation to generate $4.2 million through special events and special campaigns.

This year the Foundation's granting program is focused on initiatives that will reduce wait times and ensure that families, friends and neighbours have timely, close-to-home access to world class treatment. The Foundation also supports scientific investigation centered on prevention and early diagnosis, and directs resources towards projects designed to make new therapies available to the community.