IMS Charity Golf Classic reunites former NHL greats in support of diabetes research
MONTREAL (Quebec) – Monday, July 9, 2007 – Some of hockey’s greatest players came out on a rainy July day to help put an end to a diabetic child’s most grueling daily task -- the insulin shot.
The fourth annual IMS Golf Charity Classic gathered 18 of hockey’s greatest legends to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) at the Club de Golf Le Founatainebleau in Blainville, Quebec, July 9, 2007. Hall of Famers and goalie greats Gerry Cheevers and Billy Smith along with 1972 Canada-Soviet Hockey Series players Peter Mahovlich, Brad Park, Guy Lapointe, Yvan Cournoyer and Ron Ellis joined forces with other former NHL players to raise much needed funds for diabetes research.
After hitting the green with the former NHLers, IMS Health employees and their clients were invited to take part in a live auction hosted by former Blackhawk Dennis Hull. Garnering the highest bid were signed hockey jerseys along with an autographed photo of Jerry Cheevers’ famous goalie mask. He was one of the first to regularly wear a mask on which he would paint stitches – much to the ire of his coach.
“We are so honoured by this amazing line-up of hockey legends. This is IMS’s fourth year hosting the Charity Golf Classic and I am continually inspired by the players’ commitment to their community and would like to thank our clients for contributing so generously,” says Bruce Good, President, IMS Canada.
In recent promising news, research supported by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has found that transfusions of stored umbilical cord blood into a small group of newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes appears to have delayed the progression of the disease, possibly re-setting the immune system and slowing the destruction of their insulin-producing cells.
“The funds raised here today will help JDRF researchers continue their work,” Diane Roch, Manager, JDRF Quebec. To date, IMS has raised almost $15,000 for diabetes research and is committed to continuing its fundraising efforts.
About JDRF
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) was founded in Montreal in 1974 by the parents of children with Type 1 diabetes. It is the leading charitable fundraiser and advocate of Type 1 diabetes research worldwide. JDRF’s mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDRF has brought the long struggle against diabetes and its complications to a turning point. Now people suffering from diabetes are beginning to see their hopes for a cure grow close to reality.
For more on JDRF and their latest research projects go to http://www.jdrf.ca.
About IMS
Operating in more than 100 countries, IMS is the world’s leading provider of market intelligence to pharmaceutical and health-care industries. With $2 billion in revenue in 2006 and more than 50 years of industry experience, IMS offers leading-edge business intelligence products and services that are integral to clients’ day-to-day operations, including portfolio optimization capabilities; launch and brand management solutions; sales force effectiveness innovations; managed care and over-the-counter offerings; and consulting and services solutions that improve ROI and the delivery of quality healthcare worldwide. IMS information is also used by researchers, academics, government and other stakeholders to advance health through informed decision-making. Additional information is available at http://www.imshealthcanada.com.
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