Three Ottawa Hospitals “Stepping Forward” with BMO Financial Group to launch the 2007 Ottawa Healthy Challenge

Three Ottawa-area hospital Foundations are teaming up with BMO Financial Group for the second edition of The Ottawa Healthy Challenge, a celebration of Mind, Body and Community.

Following the success of the inaugural Healthy Challenge program launched in 2006, The Montfort Hospital Foundation, Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation and the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health are again working with BMO Financial Group to encourage Ottawans to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle while at the same time raising money for the three Hospitals.

“We were extremely proud of the success we achieved during last year’s Healthy Challenge program and the tremendous efforts and generosity of our employees and our customers,” said Jamie McMillan, Senior Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We’re looking to make this year’s Challenge even better by involving more community organizations and local corporations. With the heightened awareness of the program our BMO employees and other supporters are certain to surpass the total amount we raised last year.”

From May 14th through June 24th, BMO employees, community organization members and individuals will wear pedometers to measure their steps and attempt to log 10,000 steps a day. Participants in the walk are being sponsored by individual and corporate pledges with the money raised to go to the Foundations of the three partner Hospitals.

Research shows that a moderate activity such as walking reduces the risk of premature death, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and many other diseases and disorders. Walking is good for the mind as well as the body: People who walk regularly are less likely to show symptoms of depression and anxiety, and more likely to feel upbeat. What’s more, walking can help the environment by reducing the time we spend in cars.

There are many ways to get involved in The Ottawa Healthy Challenge and support Ottawa-area Hospitals:
Members of the public can visit the website at www.ottawahealthychallenge.com to pledge support to a participant, or register and take the challenge as an individual, and are also welcome to drop in to any of the participating BMO branches and offer to support an employee.

This year the participants taking the Ottawa Healthy Challenge has broadened to include groups such as the Ottawa Paramedics Service, the Ottawa Firefighters Association, Mitel and even a local school. Employers or corporate HR managers are invited to register their company to take part or explore corporate sponsorship opportunities.

“It’s campaigns like this one that bring communities together,” said Eric Dean, CEO of Queensway-Carleton Hospital Foundation. “We appreciate the continuous support of BMO Financial Group, as well as our new partners and look forward to their participation in this year’s program. Everyone benefits from this program – the results are more support for quality health care in our community and better health for all.”