**THUNDER BAY REGIONAL HEALTH SCIENCES FOUNDATION MEDIA RELEASE**

$35,467 raised for Northern Cancer Fund; 3-year total of $112,224

Thunder Bay, ON – For the third year in a row, kids across Northwestern Ontario stepped forward to raise money for the Northern Cancer Fund for a chance to play on Team Staal 2018 in the Fountain Tire Summer Classic – an epic road hockey game that will take place at the Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel, on July 9 at Whitewater Golf Course. Today, organizers were thrilled to recognize the efforts of kids between the ages of 7 to 12 from across Northwestern Ontario who did an exceptional job fundraising in an attempt to earn their spot on the team. In total, $35,817 was raised for the Northern Cancer Fund, bringing the total raised in the event’s 3-year history to $112,574.

The announcement of the winners took place this afternoon at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Each Team Staal player will play in the road hockey game of a lifetime in the Fountain Tire Summer Classic as part of the Opening Day activities of the Staal Foundation Open, presented by Tbaytel. Fans are invited to come and cheer on our Team Staal players. The game will feature the Staals, along with other past and present NHLers along with a roster of celebrities, Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada players, and TSN personalities.

The top 3 fundraisers in the contest were guaranteed a spot on Team Staal 2018.

They are:

Samuel ‘Sambo’ McQuay, from Atikokan, who raised $10,002;

Tristan Jaspers, from Thunder Bay, who raised $5,704;

and Adrian Echum, from Longlac, who raised $3,300

Altogether, the top 3 fundraisers raised $19,0066 – more than half the total of the entire contest!

Joining the top 3 fundraisers are two other contestants who were drawn randomly thanks to ballots earned throughout the contest – either by their hard work fundraising or through completing other activities, such as posting their reason for fundraising on their online page. Jordan Staal from the Staal Family Foundation was delighted to draw the following two names and welcome these players to Team Staal: Parker Sisco, from Fort Frances, who raised $3,003 and Carson Clarke, from Murillo, who raised $1,025.

“Once again the kids of Thunder Bay and surrounding communities across Northwestern Ontario have done an incredible job of fundraising in the 2018 Team Staal Fundraising Contest,” said Jordan Staal, on behalf of the Staal Family Foundation. “Our family is so proud of these kids and of what they’ve accomplished – over $35,000, wow! Our Foundation is about supporting families with children fighting cancer. The dollars raised by these kids will go a long way in supporting this great cause. We thank everyone who entered this year’s contest and we look forward to hosting them at this year’s Fountain Tire Summer Classic in July. It is definitely a highlight of the Staal Foundation Open.”

Glenn Craig, President & CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation echoed Jordan’s remarks. “To see the ongoing dedication of kids across Northwestern Ontario raising money for the Northern Cancer Fund is inspiring. I’m beyond impressed with the creative ways they used to fundraise and congratulate them for their very hard work over the past several weeks.”

A sixth and final spot will be given away to be part of Team Staal 2018 by Fountain Tire on Sunday, June 24 starting at 1 p.m.. Kids (aged 7-12) will participate in a scavenger hunt for the chance at a spot. Jeff Hunter, Assistant Manager, Fountain Tire explained, “Groups of 4 to 6 kids will work as a team in a scavenger hunt throughout our building and property with the supervision and aid of a Fountain Tire Team Rep. This will include riddles, puzzles, and problem solving. Parents are welcome to walk along, but are asked to not provide any assistance – The Fountain Tire Team Rep can supply clues. At the conclusion of the hunt, the winning team will be entered into a game of chance to see which member will win the final spot.” Entries are restricted to the first 30 kids who register. E-mail Jeff to secure your spot at jeff.hunter@fountaintire.com. Include child’s name, age and contact information for parent/guardian.

“These kids are in for such a treat,” said Ken Boshcoff, Tournament Director, Staal Foundation Open, presented by Tbaytel. “They’ve put in so much work and getting to play in the Fountain Tire Summer Classic will be a moment they’ll never forget.” Tickets are now available for the Staal Foundation Open, presented by Tbaytel. Daily tickets are $10 (Monday’s admission includes viewing of the Fountain Tire Summer Classic), while weekly passes are $30. Kids under 14 receive free admission. Find more info at staalopen.ca.