"Can't Wait": New Social Media Campaign promotes an easy way to help Crohn's and Colitis sufferers - and be a star

Support Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada through M&M Meat Shops in-store 'Buy a Star' fundraising initiative. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) April 06, 2011 - TORONTO - The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) today launched a five-week social media campaign designed to raise awareness and support for the 200,000+ Canadians facing the challenges associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. One of the most embarrassing and daunting manifestations of the disease is the sudden urgent need for bathroom access - sometimes a problem when in a public place.

"The tone of the Can't Wait campaign comes straight from the guts of Crohn's and Colitis sufferers," says Kevin Glasgow, Chief Executive Officer of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada. "When you're experiencing the painful cramping and diarrhea that comes with inflammatory bowel disease, you can't wait for a bathroom, and you can't wait for a cure to be found."

The social media campaign is driven by the efforts of a long-time supporter of CCFC, M&M Meat Shops. Since 1988, M&M Meat Shops has been fundraising for CCFC in a number of ways - through their in-store Star Program, M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day (May 7 this year), National Family Dinner Night (September 15 this year) and an annual golf tournament.

Central to this campaign, CCFC is urging anyone to visit an M&M Meat Shops (see www.mmmeatshops.com for the location nearest you) to buy a Star, which can then be personalized with a signature, picture, or short message and displayed in the store until M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day on Sunday, May 8.

For $2, supporters can get a Star and a chance to win a $500 M&M Meat Shops gift card. For $3, supporters can get a Star, a Blossom, and double their chances to win a $500 M&M Meat Shops gift card. For $5, supporters can get a Star, a coupon book with $50 in savings, and triple their chances to win $500 M&M Meat Shops gift card.

The Can't Wait campaign launches on April 5 with a call to action through Facebook and Twitter to change your status for April 5 to:

Can't Wait?
Don't Wait!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crohns-and-Colitis-Foundation-of-Canada/181701075182303

Online friends of both CCFC and M&M Meat Shops page can share their experiences, personal or otherwise, of the friendliest places in their community to 'go' when you really can't wait. Friends are also encouraged to share pictures of the Star they have purchased, tell the story of who their Star is honouring, and forward their Star story (in 140 characters or less) to their friends.

Proud Partners

A Kitchener-based business, M&M Meat Shops opened its first store in 1980. Over the past 30 years, the chain has grown to more than 465 locations across Canada. M&M Meat Shops offers hundreds of meal ideas for today's busy families in just one aisle, with products ranging from succulent steaks to delicious desserts and convenient meal ideas. For more information on M&M Meat Shops or for tips on hundreds of meal ideas visit www.mmmeatshops.com.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) is a volunteer-based, registered charity dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The Foundation is also committed to educating IBD patients, their families, health professionals and the general public about the diseases. For more information about CCFC, please visit www.ccfc.ca.

For more information about the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada, or to make a donation, please contact:

Jacqueline Waldorf, Manager of Marketing and Communications
(416) 920-5035 ext. 241; jwaldorf ( @ ) ccfc dot ca
600 - 60 St. Clair Avenue East
Toronto, ON M4T 1N5

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