Mushrooms Go PINK for breast cancer

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Mushrooms Go PINK for breast cancer

January 12, 2011

January 10, 2011 – When you walked down the produce aisle of any supermarket across Canada during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) you were greeted by a display of fresh mushrooms in pink trays.

“For every pound of mushrooms sold in the pink packages from September 13 to November 15, Canadian mushroom farmers made a contribution to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada,” says Nick Pora, President of Mushrooms Canada.

“This was the first time we, as an industry, came together to contribute to a social cause,” says Bill Stevens, Executive V.P of Mushrooms Canada. “We set a modest goal of $25,000.”

Astonishingly, Canadian mushroom farmers far exceeded their fundraising goal by 50%.

“I couldn’t be happier to present our donation, on behalf of Canadian mushroom farmers, to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada on January 17, 2011. We feel that this is an important cause and we are happy to help fight the battle against breast cancer” says Pora.

The Power of the Mushroom
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, in 2009 an estimated 22,700 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and sadly 5,400 will die of it.

Reports by Dr. Shiuan Chen of the City of Hope Cancer Centre in Los Angeles state that fresh mushrooms may have anti-tumour properties. Mushrooms contain Conjugated Linoleic Acid and CLA suppresses a natural substance in the body called aromatase. By blocking aromatase, physicians can reduce the levels of circulating estrogen in post-menopausal women. That is important because, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, high levels of estrogen are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.

“Diet is a key consideration for disease prevention because it is something that everyone can control,” says Dr. Chen. “Our research shows that women may benefit from a balanced diet, which includes about 3.5 ounces of mushrooms per day.”

White button, portabella, crimini and shiitake mushrooms showed significant inhibitory effects with large mushrooms having the strongest activity.

You are invited to attend cheque presentation, Monday, January 17, 2011, 12:00 pm at the Double Tree, Toronto. A Q & A session, light lunch and refreshments following ceremony.
RSVP by Thursday January 13th to Brittany Stager, Mktg Manager Mushrooms Canada
519-829-41255 brittanystager@mushrooms.ca

About Mushrooms Canada:
Mushrooms Canada was founded in 1955 as a voluntary, non-profit organization whose members are dedicated to the production and marketing of fresh mushrooms in Canada. Membership includes mushroom growers, processors, spawn makers, suppliers, scientists and other allied industries. Mushrooms Canada advocates food safety, good nutrition and the proper care and handling of fresh Canadian mushrooms. For more information on Mushrooms Canada visit www.mushrooms.ca.

About Breast Cancer Society of Canada:
The Breast Cancer Society of Canada is a registered, national, not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to funding Canadian breast cancer research into the detection, prevention, treatment and to ultimately find a cure for the disease that women fear most.
For more information visit www.bcsc.ca.

For more information contact:
Brittany Stager
Marketing Manager
Mushrooms Canada
Phone: 519-829-4125
Email: brittanystager@mushrooms.ca
Website: www.mushrooms.ca

Dawn Hamilton
Fund Development Coordinator
Breast Cancer Society of Canada
Phone: 800-567-8767
Email: dhamilton@bcsc.ca
Website: www.bcsc.ca

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Breast Cancer Society of Canada

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