The Sears Great Canadian Chill Will #StopKidsCancerCold in Support of SickKids

TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - This Family Day, the Sears Great Canadian Chill returns to Yonge-Dundas Square to raise funds and awareness for children living with cancer. Participants will jump into a custom-built pool in the middle of the square and brave the chilly water. Not only is it something fun to cross off their bucket list, it's a great way to give back. For these Chillers, 30 seconds of the cold is nothing compared to the bravery children exhibit when faced with countless rounds of chemotherapy, surgeries and rehabilitation.

Proceeds raised from The Chill will be collected by the Sears Canada Charitable Foundation and allocated to the Sears Cancer Clinic and Sears Childhood Cancer Fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), a world-renowned treatment centre for children with cancer. The division of haematology and oncology at SickKids registers approximately 275 new cancer cases in children under 18 years of age each year, representing 20 per cent of all new paediatric cancer cases in Canada. 

"We are grateful for the ongoing support of Sears Canada," said Seanna Millar, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, SickKids Foundation. "Thanks to their passion and support, SickKids can continue to provide world-leading haematology and oncology treatment to our patients and their families."

The Toronto Chill has become a tradition that brings people together to celebrate Family Day at Yonge-Dundas Square.  Surrounding the polar bear dip will be a winter festival with sponsor activations, live entertainment and activities for the whole family.  Prizes will be given out to top fundraisers including a $1,000 travel voucher that will be given to one lucky Chiller who will be selected by random draw.

New for the 2016 Chill is the chance to take home a Dyson® AM09 Hot + Cool Fan Heater, with Jet Focus control.  The first 50 people (one per household), including Chill participants, supporters and fans, at the event, on February 15, who make a minimum donation of $50 to the Sears Canada Charitable Foundation, will receive the heater fan, retail value $549.99, courtesy of Dyson.

"With the temperature expected to dip many degrees below freezing this weekend, the Sears Great Canadian Chill will be a rewarding winter experience for participants," said Becky Penrice, Senior Vice-President, Sears Canada, and President, Sears Canada Charitable Foundation. "Sears is all about serving the needs of Canadian families and raising awareness for childhood cancer.  It makes great sense for us to support something special on Family Day that helps children and their families living with cancer and beyond cancer." 

Participants can register individually or as a team for the urban polar bear dip at www.TheChill.ca or by calling 1.888.93.CHILL.  Personalized profiles will be created, complete with fundraising tools and helpful hints for participants to reach fundraising goals.  Friends and family are encouraged to gather at Yonge-Dundas Square to cheer the Chillers on and participate in the festivities. Donations to the event and to Chillers can be made at www.TheChill.ca.   

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Tweet @SearsCA & @GrtCdnChill using #StopKidsCancerCold

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About the Sears Canada Charitable Foundation
The Sears Canada Charitable Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that collects and distributes donations to charitable organizations that support Sears Canada's community investment mandate, which is focused on the healthy development of children and youth in areas of both health and education.  The health component is centered on raising awareness and providing funds for research and treatment for the fight against childhood cancer. The education component is centered on after-school programs and initiatives, which enrich children's lives and allow them to reach their full potential as contributing members of society.

About Sears Canada
Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network that includes 162 corporate stores, 144 Hometown  stores, over 1,200 catalogue and online merchandise pick-up locations, 84 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide repair and service network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.

SOURCE Sears Canada Inc.

Image with caption: "The pool at Toronto's urban Sears Great Canadian Chill (CNW Group/Sears Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160212_C6606_PHOTO_EN_619357.jpg