Hundreds To Flash Their 5-Hole At 5th Annual Pants Off For Prostate Cancer Event

Prostate Cancer Canada to celebrate International Men’s Health Month with an unconventional twist

Toronto, ON (May 13, 2014) – On June 12, 2014, hundreds of young professionals will drop their trousers and flaunt their legs at the fifth annual Pants Off for Prostate Cancer event, presented by Bayer Inc., benefiting Prostate Cancer Canada. Pants Off for Prostate Cancer: Protect Your 5-Hole, will transform The Hoxton (69 Bathurst St. W., Toronto) into a hockey-themed paradise inclusive of impressive ice sculptures, iconic hockey memorabilia, hockey-inspired activities and a delectable menu of fan food from Parts & Labour chef, Matthew Matheson.

“The ‘5-hole’ refers to the gap between a goalie’s legs,” says Rocco Rossi, President & CEO of Prostate Cancer Canada,  “We’re encouraging men to protect their ‘5-hole’ through early detection of prostate cancer, a disease affecting 1 in 7 Canadian men. Once they reach their 40’s, men should get a PSA test to establish their baseline.”

Since its inception in 2010, Pants Off For Prostate Cancer has raised an impressive $250,000 for Prostate Cancer Canada to help support and fund research for those living with this disease.  Celebrities scheduled to attend this year’s event include JUNO nominated recording artist Melanie Durrant, 680 News’ Rudy Blair, TSN’s Natasha Staniszewski and Gurdeep Ahluwalia, SportsNet’s Martine Gaillard, Love It Or List It’s Eddie Richardson, Olympians Kathleen Kauth and Jayna Hefford, and many other notable Canadians.

Pants Off For Prostate Cancer: Protect Your 5-Hole is pleased to welcome both new and returning sponsors including presenting sponsor, Bayer Inc. and lead sponsors, Redwood Asset Management and Kirchner Group.

“We are proud to partner with Prostate Cancer Canada,” said Christian Lauterbach, President & CEO, Bayer Inc. “Men are notorious for not wanting to talk about their health so approaching the prostate cancer discussion through an event like this helps to raise awareness and encourages them to speak up.”

Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer to affect Canadian men; representing an estimated 25% of all new male cancer cases in the country. In 2013, an estimated 3,900 Canadian men died of prostate cancer. The survival rate for prostate cancer can be over 90% when detected early. Prostate Cancer Canada with the help of events like Pants Off for Prostate Cancer, aim to eliminate the disease through research, education, support and awareness.

For more information and to purchase tickets to Pants Off For Prostate Cancer: Protect Your 5-Hole, please visit: http://www.pantsoff.ca/toronto.

For more information, media accreditation, photos or interview requests, please contact:

Cory Stewart, Embrace Disruption PR
p: 416.963.9857, e: cory@embracedisruption.com

Danielle Volpe, Embrace Disruption PR
p: 647.461.0057, e:danielle@embracedisruption.com

About Pants Off for Prostate Cancer:

Pants Off for Prostate Cancer is an edgy and innovative fundraising event that puts the focus on the below-the-belt nature of prostate cancer by enforcing a mandatory no pants policy at the door for its guests – a diverse mix of Toronto’s professional crowd. Since 2010, the annual event has drawn hundreds – all pants-less – in efforts to raise funds to benefit Prostate Cancer Canada, the nation’s leading charity funding prostate cancer research, support programs, and awareness.

Website:     http://www.pantsoff.ca/toronto
Facebook:     http://www.facebook.com/prostatecancercanada
Twitter:     @ProstateCancerC

About Prostate Cancer Canada:

Prostate Cancer Canada raises funds for the development of programs related to awareness and public education, advocacy, support of those affected, and research into the prevention, detection, treatment, and cure of prostate cancer. For more information visit prostatecancer.ca

About Bayer Inc. Canada:

Bayer Inc. is a Canadian subsidiary of Bayer AG and the corporate headquarters for the Canadian operations.  Founded in 1863, Bayer AG is an international research-based group with core businesses in healthcare, crop science and innovative materials committed to creating a better life for all through science.

In Canada, Bayer operates its healthcare business – Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Animal Health and Radiology & Interventional – from its headquarters in Toronto, ON, and Bayer CropScience Inc. operates out of its head office in Calgary, AB. Together with its material science business, Bayer improves the quality of life for Canadians through products that fight disease, protect crops and animals, and provide high-performance materials for numerous daily life uses.

With more than 1,300 employees across the country, in 2013, Bayer had sales of $1.6 billion and invested $61 million in research and development in Canada. Globally, Bayer AG had sales of $40.2 billion and invested $3.2 billion in research and development. For more information about Bayer, please visit www.bayer.ca.

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