Motherisk News: Clarins and Shoppers Drug Mart team up for Kiss for Life fundraising campaign

TORONTO, ON (January 27, 2011) — Consumers can help to support Motherisk, a program of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), during the Kiss for Life campaign with the purchase of the specially-marked Clarins Lip Perfector, exclusively available at 600 Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Ontario.

Beginning today through February 14, while quantities last, $10 from the purchase of each Kiss for Life Clarins Lip Perfector will be donated by Clarins and Shoppers Drug Mart to Motherisk.

Hosts of the boom breakfast show on Astral Radio's boom 97.3, Colleen Rusholme and Humble Howard, joined representatives from each campaign partner for a launch event at a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Toronto. Astral's boom 97.3 is proud to be the media partner for this campaign and will air public service announcements encouraging consumers to support Kiss for Life.

Amanda Martinez, Canadian Latin/jazz artist and mother to a 2-year-old boy named Leo, purchased the first Clarins Lip Perfector to kick off the campaign and stayed to sign autographs following the announcement. Martinez's album Amor, released in 2009, reached number one on the iTunes World Chart and remained in the top 10 throughout 2010. Also on-hand at the event was Motherisk founder and director, Dr. Gideon Koren.

"The Kiss for Life campaign will help us provide our expert information and counselling to more expectant and breastfeeding mothers every day through our telephone help-lines," says Dr. Koren. "Pregnant women who are faced with medical challenges such as diabetes, epilepsy, depression or cancer need effective treatment that won't harm their baby. Motherisk research and counselling about risks and common exposures during pregnancy can help a woman protect her baby from birth defects and some of childhood's most deadly diseases."

After successfully establishing a similar annual campaign in Quebec, Clarins extended its support of paediatric health care to Ontario.

"We are proud to bring the Kiss for Life campaign, in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart, to benefit SickKids," says Christine Dallaire, Vice President, Clarins Division. "A kiss from a mother to her child is a symbol of the special connection she feels with her newborn. This campaign invites women to support other women so they will be able to reach out to Motherisk for information or counselling when they need it most."

Motherisk recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and gratefully recognized Shoppers Drug Mart's long-standing support that began in 1998.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to providing information and resources in the area of women's whole health, Shoppers Drug Mart is pleased to be a partner in the Kiss for Life campaign," says Cathy Masson, Director, Cosmetics, Shoppers Drug Mart. "Pregnancy and new motherhood are some of the most significant times in many women's lives and we embrace the opportunity to support a program like Motherisk that ensures women have the information and support they need during this important life milestone."

Established at SickKids in 1985, Motherisk provides research and counselling to help ensure safe medical treatment for women during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Motherisk has helped establish the safety of medications for expectant or new mothers, as well as the risk or safety of chemicals, radiation, infectious diseases and common everyday exposures. Professionals at Motherisk answer about 200 calls per day — nearly half a million since its inception. Women seeking information can call 1-877-439-2744 or visit www.motherisk.org.

For more information, contact:
Sandra Chiovitti
SickKids Foundation
416.813.8292
sandra.chiovitti@sickkidsfoundation.com

Danielle La Roche
Clarins
450.686.7306
dlaroche@clarins.ca

Lisa Gibson
Shoppers Drug Mart
416.490.2927
lgibson@shoppersdrugmart.ca