Did 24 Coke-Funded Studies on Childhood Obesity Fail to Disclose Coke’s Influence?
How accurate were conflict of interest disclosures in at least 40 childhood obesity studies funded by The Coca-Cola Company? Not so accurate, according to a paper published in the Journal of Public Health Policy that analyzed studies from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE), funded with a $6.4 million grant from Coca-Cola.
The ISCOLE study found that physical inactivity is a key predictor for childhood obesity. Coca-Cola appears to have financed and promoted research tying childhood obesity to causes other than soda consumption.
For 24 of the ISCOLE studies, the COI disclosures report this, or a close variant: “ISCOLE is funded by The Coca-Cola Company. The study sponsor has no role in study design, data collection, analysis, conclusions or publications. The only sponsor requirement was that the study be global in nature.”
However, a Freedom of Information Act request by U.S. Right to Know, a food industry watchdog group, uncovered evidence suggesting that Coca-Cola influenced the studies’ design, raising questions about corporate influence and truthfulness in the Coke-funded papers.
“It appears that many of the ISCOLE scientists did not declare the full extent of Coca-Cola’s involvement in their childhood obesity studies,” said Gary Ruskin, co-director of U.S. Right to Know. “This raises questions not only about these Coke-funded studies, but also more generally about the accuracy of conflict of interest disclosures in other scientific studies funded by corporations.”
“What these emails reveal is how complex conflicts of interest are and how poorly they are currently managed,” said David Stuckler, Professor at the Research Centre Dondena, at Bocconi University. “There is a danger that vested interests such as Coca-Cola pollute the scientific literature with research serving a hidden agenda.”
“In recent years, large corporations have been seeking to minimize concerns about conflicts of interest in the research they fund,” said Martin McKee, Professor of European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. A recent example is the Brussels Declaration, which said “commercial conflicts of interests are fairly easy to deal with if they are properly declared”. “As our paper shows, the situation is actually much more complicated and there is a need for considerable caution,” McKee said.
Regarding the ISCOLE emails obtained by FOIA, the Journal of Public Health Policy paper reports:
The emails suggest that the researchers did consult and include Coca-Cola representatives in making strategic decisions about study design. In the early stages of planning the study, for example, the parties debated which and how many countries are to be included. [Coca-Cola Chief Science and Health Officer Rhona] Applebaum emailed [ISCOLE Co-Principal Investigator Peter] Katzmarzyk on 26 March 2012 saying: “Ok—so with Russia and Finland we are at 13? Or no Finland and at 12. Seriously–our CEO hates the #13”…. She continued, “Serious about this 13 business. We have no FL [floor?] 13 at Coke”. Applebaum asked Katzmarzyk: “What other country should we look at?”, to which he responded, “We should talk about Russia as well—do you have contacts there already?”
The Journal of Public Health Policy paper was authored by David Stuckler, Professor at the Research Centre Dondena, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy; Martin McKee, Professor of European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; and Gary Ruskin, co-director of U.S. Right to Know, in Oakland, California.
U.S. Right to Know is a nonprofit organization that investigates the risks associated with the corporate food system, and the food industry’s practices and influence on public policy. For more information, see usrtk.org.
Canadian Beverage Association Balance Calories Initiative Success
Conference Board of Canada update on Balance Calories Initiative shows an unprecedented 10.2% reduction in calories
TORONTO, Dec. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Beverage Association (CBA), which represents Canada's non-alcoholic beverage industry, is proud to provide Canadians with an update on the successful progress of the Balance Calories Initiative (BCI).
The Canadian Beverage Association Balance Calories Initiative: 2017 Tracking Report, prepared by The Conference Board of Canada, shows that in the first two years of BCI alone, calories have been reduced by an unprecedented 10.2 per cent. That means that since 2004 there has been an almost 30% reduction in calories consumed from non-alcoholic beverages by Canadians according to GlobalData market data.
The Conference Board Report also noted in their report that data collected from the Government of Canada's own Canadian Community Health Survey 2016, corroborates this reduction of almost 30% in calories consumed per capita/per day since 2004.
Despite calories from beverages declining by 30% since 2004, obesity continues to be a rising concern in Canada.
This significant decrease has been driven by innovative measures; reformulation, smaller portion sizes and more low/no-calories options for Canadian consumers. In 2017 alone CBA member companies launched more than two dozen new low/no-calorie products into the Canadian market place.
"It is clear that Balance Calories is working," said Jim Goetz, President, Canadian Beverage Association. "Our members have successfully removed millions of calories from sugar out of Canadians' diets, we are supporting better health outcomes for Canadians but promoting calorie balance and reducing the amount of sugar Canadians consume."
Background:
Balance Calories Initiative (BCI) – a voluntary initiative by members of the Canadian Beverage Association was launched in 2015 with the goal of reducing calories consumed from non-alcoholic beverages per capita/per day by 20% by 2025.
The Canadian beverage industry has a successful track record of leading voluntary initiatives. They include restricting marketing to children, eliminating full-calorie soft drinks from schools, and implementing front-of-pack calorie labeling, an initiative known as Clear on Calories.
The Conference Board of Canada, an evidence-based, action-oriented research organization with a non-partisan, balanced perspective, is partnered with Canadian Beverage Association and its members to benchmark and verify progress of this program.
Visit www.balancecalories.ca for more information.
About the Canadian Beverage Association
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Canadian Beverage Association is the national industry association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute the majority of non-alcoholic refreshment beverages consumed in Canada.
The association represents more than 60 brands of juices, juice drinks, bottled waters, sports drinks, ready-to-serve iced teas and coffees, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
The Canadian Beverage Association employs 60,000 Canadians from coast to coast, with over 18,000 jobs in manufacturing. Our jobs are made in Canada, and our products are made in Canada. We proudly represent the makers of more than 60 brands of non-alcoholic beverages in more than 200 facilities nation-wide.
SOURCE Canadian Beverage Association
The 12 Days of Fitness - Daily tips to stay healthy over the holidays
Just one focus or workout each day can help you stay healthier and maintain your fitness goals while still enjoying the festive season. GoodLife Fitness personal trainer Nsuani Baffoe offers one tip per day. Start when you can.
Day 1 – Set the stage for seasonal success
- Scheduling: If you don’t plan for the holidays, fitness can take a back seat to other activities. Try to schedule a minimum of six workouts during your 12 days of fitness. If you get eight, you’re a star. Invite your family and friends for a walk or jog, or go skating. Plan ahead for the days you’ll be feasting or sipping cocktails at a work party. Hydration also plays a key role in how you’ll feel the next day – especially with the alcohol and extra salt in holiday meals.
- Meal planning and shopping: Plan for your healthy meals and snacks around the big events. Stock up on veggies and fruits, lean protein options like tofu, chicken breasts, fish, lean beef and legumes. Prepare some of your favourite slow cooker meals so you’ll have something nutritious for lunches and after work.
- Pack a bag: Pack a bag with your gym gear and keep it in your car. Things take longer during the lead up to Christmas. If your bag is in the car, you’ll have a better chance of making it to the gym or your favourite fitness class.
Day 2 – Start with strength
Cardio is great for maintaining your fitness levels, but if you’re trying to counter the effects of lots of eating and drinking, strength training is the most efficient option. Strength training typically involves the biggest muscle groups in our body – glutes, hamstrings, quads, back, chest, and core. Stimulating these areas will raise your metabolism by improving your basal metabolic rate, which is the amount of energy you burn in the day while at rest. Choose opposing compound muscle groups to start – deadlift paired with chest press or squats paired with chin/pull-ups.
Day 3 – Stretching, stretching, and more stretching
Stretch when you get up in the morning and before you go to bed. Simply stretching can help focus your mind and prepare your body for the day ahead. It’s also a great way to encourage good circulation and trigger your body to release ‘feel good’ hormones that will help balance how you feel all day.
Day 4 – Let your heart be your guide
Rather than setting a time limit on your cardio workout, challenge yourself by setting a target heart rate and continuing your run until you achieve it. Take the number 220 and subtract your age. This will give you a baseline number for your heart rate when training. Multiply that by an intensity percentage -- 55% for beginners all the way up to 75% for the advanced exerciser. That will give you your target heart rate.
Day 5 – Prioritize and moderate your food choices
Here are two good ways to maintain nutritional balance at a time when balance can be tough.
- Fill up on veggies at festive meals. Eat the healthy stuff first and you’ll be less likely to overeat when it comes to the good stuff.
- Choose your carbs wisely. If you love your grandmother’s freshly baked bread, but you’re not a huge fan of cereal, skip your morning cereal in favour of a piece of buttered bread straight from the oven during the big holiday dinner.
Day 6 – Go big, THEN go home
Now is the time to train heavy to counter the effect of holiday indulgence. Strength training should focus on the big muscles (quads, back, chest, glutes) and high intensity. Train your legs and chest, do some squats and heavier weight training. Good exercises to get you started include goblet squats, deadlifts, flat pressing and assisted pull-ups
Day 7 – Enjoy your cardio
Cardio can actually be a form of active recovery. It’s a great way to increase your heart rate and move your muscles to encourage blood flow and minimize soreness. Whether it’s a jog through your neighbourhood, some time on the elliptical machine or a swim at the local pool, cardio can also be a good stress release and escape from your busy schedule.
Day 8 – Don’t forget to play
The holidays are all about enjoying time with friends and family. Put on your jackets and head outside for a hike, go tobogganing, or chase the kids around the yard or even the living room. Maybe walk downtown to get some last-minute shopping done. Staying active will help you manage stress and get in some cardio.
Day 9 – Show off your moves
Try out some new fitness moves that burn fat and keep your mind engaged. Plus you’ll look like a pro at the gym! Here are two great ones to try.
- Kettlebell swings: A kettlebell swing isn’t just a workout for your arms. The torque from your hips propels it forward, making this exercise a comprehensive full-body burn. Keep your chest up and repeat the swinging movement without stopping. It’s best to use low to moderate weight for this exercise to begin with.
- Shadow boxing with dumbbells: Shadowboxing is draining, but the cardio and strength component increases with a pair of weights. Using very light weights, perform punching movements by hitting the air as fast as you can for 50 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds and repeat five to seven times.
Day 10 – Do the heavy lifting…AGAIN
Fit in another day of heavy lifting at the gym before you coast into the busiest part of the holidays. The more work you do in advance, the easier it will be to get back to your routine when you run out of eggnog.
Day 11 – Acknowledge your inner yogi
This would be a good time to try out a yoga or Pilates class to stretch and elongate and strengthen your muscles and give joints a break. It’s also a good way to take a mental break from the holiday hustle and bustle.
Day 12 – Reward yourself, then start again.
If you’ve been following some of these guidelines and sticking to a bit of a routine, don’t forget to reward yourself with a day off, some free time with a book, or maybe some new workout gear. Celebrate your successes, then look at the weeks to come to see how you can continue them into the new year.
Old phone collecting dust in your drawer?
Give it new life with #DonateTech
RL Solutions, TechToronto and Free Geek Toronto team up for week-long donation drive to collect old technology and give to those in need, December 11-15
Toronto, ON – Everyone has old technology lying around – from retired smartphones to extra keyboards, wires, monitors or speakers. This holiday season,
RL Solutions and
TechToronto have partnered with
Free Geek Toronto to help Torontonians find new homes for this tech with a week-long
#DonateTech Drive. Taking place December 11 to 15, donation bins and information booths will be touring the downtown Toronto core educating and asking Torontonians to give the power of technology.
“In this hectic season when we’re so focused on shopping and replacing the old with the new, the #DonateTech drive gives people the opportunity to make a difference with their retired tech,” says
Ryan Fukunga, Executive Director, Free Geek Toronto. “
Too often, technology is tossed away when it still has so much left to give. When you donate your old tech, you’re giving someone the opportunity to build invaluable technical skills, perform better in school and access new job opportunities.”
Why #DonateTech?
- We throw out a lot of tech in Canada- about 14-million tonnes a year. Donating your tech ensures it gets recycled responsibly instead of getting sent to a landfill.
- Upgraded to a new laptop? That retired laptop can get new life supporting students in Toronto who don’t have access to technology. Tech that you’re no longer using is a gateway to technical skills and educational resources to help them succeed.
- Retired cellphones may not have the latest features, but they still give the power to stay connected to members of the community who may not be able to afford new phones.
You can find the #DonateTech booth at the following locations:
- The DMZ at Ryerson University - Monday, December 11, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- WeWork 33 Bloor Street - Tuesday, December 12, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- MaRS Discovery District - Wednesday, December 13, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- City Hall - Thursday, December 14, Friday December 15, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
For full details on locations and hours of operation, please visit:
TechToronto.org/HolidayTechDrive
“Being a software company, we understand how powerful technology is and how often access is taken for granted,” says Mike Etzinger, VP Marketing, RL Solutions. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with the team at Free Geek Toronto to raise awareness about the impact that donated technology can have in our local community.”
Do your colleagues or your organization have tech that could use a new home? Reach out using the contact information below. Donation bins are available to be dropped off and picked up from your office.
Be sure to share your donations on social media using #DonateTech to raise awareness on the digital divide and Free Geek’s mission. Feel free to share a little backstory on your donation (i.e. the first time you got it, how the tech has helped you grow) and how you can now pay it forward!
For more information please contact:
Sheri Clish, rock-it promotions, inc., at sheri@rockitpromo.com or 416.656.0707 ext. 122
Andrea Mears, rock-it promotions, inc., at andrea@rockitpromo.com or 416.656.0707 ext. 117
About RL Solutions
RL Solutions designs innovative healthcare software for patient feedback, infection prevention & risk management and more to support overall quality and experience in healthcare. RL Solutions has over 1,800 clients, including healthcare networks, hospitals, long-term care facilities. RL Solutions is a global company with offices in Canada, the United States, Australia and the UK.
Website: rlsolutions.com
Twitter: @RLSolutions
Facebook: @RLSolutionsTechnology
Instagram: @RLSolutions
Hashtag: #DonateTech #PoweredbyRL
About Free Geek Toronto
Free Geek Toronto is a non-profit grassroots organization that aims to break the barriers to access technology in marginalized communities. They collect tech, and refurbish when they can to put in the hands of people who don’t have ready access. They also recycle the parts properly to reduce e-waste.
Website: FreeGeekToronto.org
Twitter: @FreeGeekToronto
Instagram: @freegeektoronto
Hashtag: #FreeGeekTO
About TechToronto
TechToronto is a mission driven organization, working to grow and diversify Canada’s technology ecosystems. Through best-in-class events, insightful research and meaningful advocacy, TechToronto is helping to support the growth and development of the Canadian tech community. TechToronto is a non-partisan advocate on behalf of the tech community, a tireless champion of local entrepreneurs and their companies.
Website: TechToronto.org
Twitter: @techtorontoorg
Instagram: @techtorontoorg
Hashtag: #TechTO
I was recently contacted by a representative from Crawford Street Natural Skin Care to review some of their products. I agreed because I love that they are natural and a Toronto based company.
The first product I tried was the Mineral Bath for relaxing. The main ingredients are: Lavender, Bergamot, Clary Sage and according to Crawford it will "Relax your body and calm you mind with these pure Dead Sea salts topped with dried lavender flowers."
I absolutely loved the smell and when I got out of the tube I felt clean and refreshed. The only thing I did not like was the dried lavender flowers. Why? Because they stuck to the tub once the water was drained and I found them really hard to clean. Other then that I was relaxed and felt refreshed. I definitely think it's worth the $25.00 price tag but I wish that it came in a bigger size. It only is available in 16oz and I take a lot of baths for recovery so the small container did not last me long.
ABOUT CRAWFORD STREET SKIN CARE:
It was founded in 2010 after owner Gaelyne Leslie had a severe allergic reaction to a commercial brand of face moisturizer. Her background as an investigative journalist led her to research the long list of ingredients in her moisturizer and the whole experience left her both horrified, and with extremely sensitive skin. As a result, she started to experiment with natural ingredients, eventually coming up with a moisturizer that was not only 100 percent natural, but it really worked! Friends noticed her glowing, smooth skin and soon she was whipping up cream for them too. Thrilled with the results, Gaelyne continued to experiment in the kitchen and soon had a small line of handcrafted skin care products.
As a journalist, Gaelyne was committed to quality, integrity and education. She brings this same commitment to her skin care line. “I believe that what you put on your body is as important as what you put in it. And what is left out, is as important as what is mixed in.”
Every ingredient that goes into a product is carefully researched and chosen for its unique properties. Gaelyne is always looking for the best ingredients she can offer her customers, and she always chooses fair-trade, sustainable and organic ingredients where available.
Today Crawford Street Skin Care products are produced in small batches in our laboratory on Crawford Street in Toronto. We take special care to ensure that each product arrives to you as fresh as possible.
Crawford Street Skin Care products are 100% natural. They are free of petrochemical derivatives, such as mineral oil and petroleum, PEGs, Parabens, DEA, Sodium laurel sulphate, artificial dyes and fragrances, chemical preservatives.
If you are interested in Crawford Skin Care or The Mineral Bath please visit their website at: https://www.crawfordskincare.com
United States of America Has a $125 Billion US Dollars Spine Care Problem
The United States of America (USA), is a federal republic composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major territories and various possessions. The 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., are in central North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwestern part of North America and the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific. The territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 320 million people, the country is the world’s third or fourth-largest by total area and the third most populous. It is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries.
What is little known, however, is that many Americans suffer from #backpain and #neckpain.
Americans are not aware that studies say that 1/138 America’s 17.5 trillion US dollars GDP is spent on spine related problems, costing $125 billion US dollars. Furthermore, the spine affects the physical, emotional and financial well being of each of America’s 321 million citizens. According to Dr. Matthew A. Davis at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, “basically each year the US bureau of labor statistics releases indices for the pricing of different services and goods (based on economic analyses, dollar value etc.)” I used the index for medical services in 2005 (328.4) compared to 2016 (470.91). The difference therefore is the relative change in pricing due to inflation. To convert the 2005 dollars to 2016 equivalents you simply take $90 billion x (470.91/328.4) = $128.8 billion. These are the actual numbers by the published assessments, which does not include new technologies of which there are many.
A recent study by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and published in Lancet shows that in 1990 and in 2013, the world’s #1 source and burden of disability is low back pain, and the world’s #4 source and burden of disability is neck pain.
Americans are suffering. They want answers and strategies to stop this suffering. Every year more and more American citizens get permanently stuck with #backpain, and #neckpain
About Dr. Kenneth K. Hansraj:
Kenneth K. Hansraj, M.D. is a 2016 and 2017 recipient of the New York Top Doc Award who is a spinal and orthopedic surgeon specializing in cervical, thoracic and lumbar procedures, bloodless spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, laminectomies and spinal fusions. He believes in whole body wellness, preventative care and that the spine is a principal indicator of general health impacted by “human software and hardware.”
Dr. Ken is the author of the internationally bestselling book, Keys to an Amazing Life: Secrets of the Cervical Spine, (January, 2013), which he was inspired to write based on this concept. Dr. Hansraj is also the author of Bloodless Spine Surgery: Pictures and Explanations. His goal with each of his books is to bring years of accumulated expert medical knowledge to the public at-large in an easy-to digest format and to help countless individuals with ongoing spinal and health issues.
Dr. Ken Hansraj is TV and media trained and has extensive experience with national outlets such as CNN, HLN, CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, NPR and has been featured globally. Cision® estimates his current media impressions at 5.5 Billion.
Global problem solvers are in high demand. Just google Re-Imagine Education and check out the wealth of conferences and events focused on what learning matters to ensure individuals have the skills to think like entrepreneurs and collaborate with people from all backgrounds.
What lessons can researchers learn from the 15 year-old girls who outperformed boys in collaborative problem solving in every country around the world, according to the new study by the OECD? In C.M. Rubin’s interview with Andreas Schleicher, Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills at the OECD, he notes, “Girls show more positive attitudes towards relationships, meaning that they tend to be more interested in others’ opinions and want others to succeed.”
Schleicher also notes that "strong academic skills will not automatically also lead to strong social skills. Part of the answer lies in giving students more ownership over the time, place, path, pace, and interactions of their learning. Another part of the answer can lie in fostering more positive relationships at school and designing learning environments that benefit students’ collaborative problem-solving skills and their attitudes towards collaboration.”
Andreas Schleicher is Director for Education and Skills, and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. The first ever assessment of collaborative problem solving skills aims to help countries and economies see where their students stand in relation to their peers in other education systems. Students in 52 countries completed this test in addition to the main OECD PISA 2015 Survey on Science, Mathematics and Reading.
Read the full article here.
CMRubinWorld launched in 2010 to explore what kind of education would prepare students to succeed in a rapidly changing globalized world. Its award-winning series, The Global Search for Education, is a celebrated trailblazer in the renaissance of the 21st century, and occupies a special place in the pulse of key issues facing every nation and the collective future of all children. It connects today’s top thought leaders with a diverse global audience of parents, students and educators. Its highly readable platform allows for discourse concerning our highest ideals and the sustainable solutions we must engineer to achieve them. C. M. Rubin has produced over 500 interviews and articles discussing an expansive array of topics under a singular vision: when it comes to the world of children, there is always more work to be done.
For more information on CMRubinWorld
Follow @CMRubinWorld on Twitter
Contact Information:
David Wine
CMRubinWorld
David(at)cmrubinworld(dot)com
| According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, earwax plays a key role in how the outer ear canal cleans itself. This canal connects the outside visible part of our ear with the eardrum. Although dirt can get into the outer ear canal, most of the "dirt" found in the ear is made up of tiny dead skin particles. These dead skin particles are normal because the skin keeps renewing itself through constant shedding. Glands in the ear secrete fats and other substances to keep the inner ear soft and protected. Earwax is one of these substances.
Unfortunately, some people create more ear wax than others – especially as we age and increasingly use devices like in-ear buds and hearing aids – wax can build up and become impacted causing infection and hearing loss. Using cotton swabs isn’t recommended but using a product like Clear Ear is as it safely removes earwax from your outer ear safely.
 
Clear Ear Build-up of ear wax is one of the leading causes of preventable hearing impairment. Every day, we use in-ear devices to communicate or listen to music, which impairs the ears natural self-cleaning mechanism. Some wear hearing aids which can cause issues with ear wax build-up. Oto-Tip's patented spiral spin technology offers a safe, simple method to clean ears daily that removes ear wax without the risk of damage to the ear canal or ear drums, enabling you to enjoy the sounds around you.
Age range: 3+ Years
MSRP: $49.99
Available online: https://www.cvs.com/shop/clear-ear-automated-spiral-oto-tip-prodid-1560264?skuId=216494 |
Donate Aeroplan Miles to the Air Canada Foundation To Help Children across Canada Obtain Medical Care
All Aeroplan Miles donated to the Air Canada Foundation until December 10, 2017 will be matched by Aeroplan up to 500,000 Aeroplan Miles.
MONTREAL, Dec. 7, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - This week is the Air Canada Foundation and Aeroplan Miles Matching Week in support of the Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program. This program redistributes the Aeroplan Miles donated by Air Canada customers to 15 pediatric hospitals across Canada by providing flights for sick children who need specialized health care not available in their community. Aeroplan will match all miles donated until this Sunday December 10, 2017 up to 500,000 Aeroplan Miles.
"We are grateful to Aeroplan members and to Aeroplan for their ongoing support of the Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program during this annual Aeroplan Mile Matching Week," said Priscille Leblanc, Chair of the Air Canada Foundation. "Their ongoing generosity allows us to donate in average every year 10 million Aeroplan miles to 15 pediatric hospitals across Canada relieving families of the financial burden of unexpected expenses and allowing them to focus on the health and well-being of their sick child."
"We're overwhelmed by the generosity of our members. Every mile donated makes an enormous impact to families and people in need across Canada. We hope our members continue to support the incredible work that our partner the Air Canada Foundation is doing to support children who require medical care not available in their communities," said Anne-Josee Laquerre, Director, Social Purpose and Sustainability, Aeroplan.
The Aeroplan Mile Matching Week in support of the Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program is being held until this Sunday December 10, 2017. To donate your miles, please visit aircanada.com/Foundation and select the "Donate" button located on the top banner.
Aeroplan Members can also automatically donate two per cent of all miles accumulated to the Air Canada Foundation by updating the donation opt-in on their profile page on aeroplan.com.
About the Air Canada Foundation
The Air Canada Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focused on the health and well-being of children and youth, was launched in 2012. It offers financial and in-kind support, through travel assistance, to Canadian registered charities. Core programs include the Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program, which donates Aeroplan Miles to pediatric hospitals across Canada, enabling children to access medical care unavailable locally, and the Volunteer Involvement Program, which recognizes the involvement of Air Canada employees in their local communities by providing airline tickets to registered charities in support of their fundraising activities. The Foundation also offers continued support to major health-related causes that benefit Canadians and actively participates in international humanitarian relief activity as the need arises. In collaboration with the airline, the Air Canada Foundation also participates directly in fundraising activities such as the Every Bit Counts program, which encourages customers to donate loose change on board flights or through airport collection containers. For more information about the Air Canada Foundation, please visit www.aircanada.com/foundation or the 2015 Corporate Sustainability Report: Citizens of the World, online at www.aircanada.com/Foundation/Citizensoftheworld.
About Aeroplan
Aeroplan, Canada's premier coalition loyalty program, is owned by Aimia Inc., a data-driven marketing and loyalty analytics company.
Aeroplan's millions of members earn Aeroplan Miles with its growing network of over 75 world-class partners, representing more than 150 brands in the financial, retail, and travel sectors.
In 2016, approximately 2.5 million rewards were issued to members including 1.9 million flights on Air Canada and Star Alliance carriers which offer travel to more than 1,300 destinations worldwide. In addition to flights, members also have access to over 1,000 exciting specialty, merchandise, hotel, car rental and experiential rewards.
For more information about Aeroplan, please visit www.aeroplan.com or www.aimia.com.
SOURCE Air Canada Foundation
