CIBC Breast Care Services will have the most sophisticated
                   mammogram and biopsy equipment availableTORONTO, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - CIBC (CM: TSX;NYSE) announced today a pledge of
$1 million to William Osler Health Centre Foundation's Here for you...caring
for you Community Campaign in support of the new Brampton Civic Hospital
(BCH). This gift is one of the largest corporate donations to the Foundation.
    In keeping with CIBC's passion for creating a future without breast
cancer, this commitment will be recognized with a naming in the Diagnostic
Imaging Departments at Brampton Civic Hospital which opened to the public in
October of last year, and at Etobicoke General Hospital. CIBC Breast Care
Services will provide both women and men with diagnostic services such as
mammograms and biopsies, using the latest and most technologically
sophisticated medical equipment available.
    "At CIBC, we have a long history of supporting breast cancer research,
education and awareness and treatment," said Sonia Baxendale, Senior Executive
Vice-President, CIBC Retail Markets. "Breast cancer is a disease that touches
virtually all Canadians. On behalf of CIBC and our employees, CIBC is proud to
support the William Osler Health Care Foundation so that CIBC Breast Care
Services can provide cancer patients with the best breast cancer diagnostic
services."
    The constant flow of patients through the breast centres reinforces the
need for expanded care and services in the Brampton and Etobicoke communities
and beyond. Anne Randell, President & CEO of the William Osler Health Centre
Foundation acknowledged the significance of CIBC's gift. "Not only will this
donation make a tremendous difference in the care we provide to cancer
patients in Brampton, Etobicoke and all across the northwest GTA, we hope it
will inspire other corporate donors to step forward and support our
community's most valuable resource."
    Support for William Osler Health Centre Foundation's $120 million
Community Campaign continues to grow as more than $95 million in cash and
pledges have been donated to the Foundation to date for Brampton Civic
Hospital and the redevelopment of its other two sites, Etobicoke General
Hospital and Peel Memorial Hospital.
    In addition to CIBC's $1 million donation, CIBC employees at its
Etobicoke branches have raised more than $15,000 through a variety of
fundraising activities to help fund the new MRI program at Etobicoke General
Hospital. This morning, more than 200 CIBC employees and their families walked
one kilometer or ran five on the Humber College campus in a CIBC Care 2 Walk
fundraiser for EGH.
    CIBC's history of supporting the breast cancer cause dates back to 1992
with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. The Run has
raised more than $170 million since its inception and CIBC and its employees
have raised more than $15 million to help create a future without breast
cancer. In addition, in the last five years CIBC has contributed more than
$5.5 million to hospitals and research centres across Canada towards breast
cancer treatment and research.
    CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our
employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities
through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of
employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee
commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run
for the Cure, United Way and the CIBC World Markets Children's Foundation, we
are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the
country. In 2007, CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million
worldwide to charitable organizations and community initiatives. Of this,
$27 million was invested in Canada to support national regional and local
organizations. To learn more, visit www.cibc.com/pas