VANCOUVER, BC, June 19, 2014 – Thanks to generous donors and sponsors, the 18th annual Mr. Lube Tournament for Life, held on June 16, 2014, raised more than $460,000 to benefit VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to fund research at the Vancouver Prostate Centre at VGH and to support the ‘Most Urgent Needs’ Fund of the Foundation.

This year’s sold out tournament was held at the Point Grey Golf & Country Club, where Honorary Chair Rod Senft made a special announcement: His family’s charity, Step into Action, would match all donations made during the event up to $100,000. Rod’s generosity along with other sponsors, donors and supporters helped us break the tournament’s fundraising record, making this year’s event the largest amount raised in its 18 year history.

Each year, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation and Mr. Lube present the Ted Ticknor Memorial Award to an exceptional individual in the community for their determination to create awareness and raise funds for prostate cancer. This year’s recipient is Keith Solinsky who has been an ongoing supporter and our longest serving golf committee member.

“Keith has been involved with this event since its inception,” notes Barbara Grantham, President & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “After Keith’s father was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1987, he was inspired to create an event to raise money for prostate cancer research. We are thrilled to recognize Keith and the significant contribution he has made over the past 18 years.”

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in Canada — one in six Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. The Vancouver Prostate Centre is one of the top three prostate cancer research centres in the world and an internationally recognized Centre of Excellence helping men across BC with treatments and support.

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation extends our gratitude to our title sponsor Mr. Lube Canada and all our generous sponsors, golfers, cash and prize donors, and volunteers for your enormous generosity and support.

“Your donations help the Vancouver Prostate Centre to continue its world-class prostate cancer research and to make life-changing advancements that will improve the future for men and their families,” Barbara adds.

About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation partners with donors to provide the funds essential to ensuring that our hospitals and health care teams can deliver BC’s best, most specialized care for adults. The Foundation raises funds for Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, and GF Strong Rehab Centre (the province’s major adult health referral centres), Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, and Community Health Services.

Last year the Foundation raised over $61 million to ensure excellence in health care for people across BC. For more, visit vghfoundation.ca

About the Vancouver Prostate Centre
The world-renowned Vancouver Prostate Centre has a comprehensive program devoted to education, research, teaching and care, with an emphasis on both clinical and basic science research. The team focuses its efforts on fighting prostate cancer through improved understanding of prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as patient education.

Vancouver Prostate Centre’s goal is to advance understanding of the biology of prostate cancer and to translate that understanding into practical therapy – improving the length and quality of life of patients.

About Mr. Lube Canada
Mr. Lube is Canada’s leading quick lube provider in the routine automotive maintenance sector. Mr. Lube was founded in 1976 by the Giese family in Edmonton, pioneering a category of automotive servicing that focused on convenience and no appointment necessary. With 160 locations across the country, Mr. Lube is operated by a national network of franchisees. Mr. Lube maintains corporate offices in Delta, BC and Mississauga, ON to support its national franchise network.

Media Contacts
Pam Whitworth
Director, Marketing & Communications
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
604 875 5196