Canadian Mushroom Farmers Donate $60,000 to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada

January 27, 2011

January 26, 2011 – Overwhelmed and appreciative were two words spoken by Dawn Hamilton, Breast Cancer Society representative, as she accepted the cheque for $61,128,81; a donation made by proud Canadian mushroom farmers.

“My sister-in-law unfortunately passed away from breast cancer, and I know that my fellow farmers here today have also been affected in some way by this disease,” says Nick Pora, President of Mushroom Canada, at the cheque presentation ceremony held January 17th, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario.

For every pound of mushrooms sold in PINK packages from September 13 to November 15, Canadian mushroom farmers made a contribution to the Breast Cancer Society of 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 150%.

“I was extremely proud 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.

For more information, recipes, and cooking videos visit www.mushrooms.ca, or follow Mushrooms Canada on our blog.

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Canadian mushroom growers and their employees are justifiably proud of their donation of $61,129 to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada. The farm-gate price they received from retailers for PINK mushrooms in October was the same as they get for non-PINK mushrooms year-round. There were no premiums because the mushrooms were PINK. And consumers paid the same price for PINK as they did for non-PINK. Mushroom growers made these donations out of their own pockets and the Breast Cancer Society was overwhelmed by their generosity.

Participating Mushroom Farms:

All Seasons Mushrooms, Langley, BC & Airdrie, AB
Avina Fresh Mushrooms, Abbotsford, BC
Carleton Mushroom Farm, Osgoode, ON
Champ's Mushrooms, Abbotsford, BC
Champag Inc., Vercheres, QC
Continental Mushroom, Metcalfe, ON
G.D.P. Mushroom, Montreal, QC
Highline Produce, Leamington, Kingsville & Wellington, ON
Loveday Mushroom Farm, Winnipeg, MB
Monaghan Mushrooms, Campbellville, ON
Peeters Farm Products, Charing Cross, ON
Piccioni Bros. Mushroom, Dundas, ON
Prairie Mushrooms / Alliance Mushrooms Ardrossan, AB
Ravine Mushroom Farms, Woodbridge & Aylmer, ON
Rol-land Farms Mushrooms, Blenheim, ON & Summerside, PEI
Windmill Farms / Greenwood Mushroom Farm, Ashburn, ON

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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 Co-ordinator
Breast Cancer Society of Canada
Phone: 800-567-8767
Email: dhamilton@bcsc.ca
Website: www.bcsc.ca

Click here to view our Sources Listing:

Breast Cancer Society of Canada

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