Early detection key to successful treatment of breast cancer

    CHARLOTTETOWN, Oct. 1 /CNW/ - To help the Queen Elizabeth Hospital meet
its Phase 1 Redevelopment medical equipment challenges, CIBC (CM: TSX;NYSE) is
making a $75,000 donation to the hospital's Care Today For Tomorrow Capital
Campaign for the provincial breast screening program which includes the
purchase of two state-of-the-art digital mammography machines.
    "At CIBC, we are passionate about creating a future without breast
cancer," said Jim McEachern, Manager, Commercial Banking in Prince Edward
Island. "That's why we are so proud to make this donation to the Care Today
For Tomorrow Capital Campaign so patients on the Island can have improved
chances of beating this disease."
    According to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, mammograms are an
important step in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Regular
mammograms can help to find small cancers in the breast before there are other
signs and symptoms. If breast cancers are found at an early stage, there may
be a better chance of successful treatment.
    "We are grateful to CIBC for supporting this very special campaign and
helping bring us closer to goal," said Jim Casey, Chair of the Care Today For
Tomorrow Capital Campaign. "This significant contribution will go a long way
toward improving the health of Islanders through the purchase of this much
needed medical equipment."
    The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is the largest acute care hospital on PEI,
providing more than 80% of all specialized health care services received by
Islanders. It serves as a referral hospital for all Islanders and a community
hospital to residents of Queens County.
    The goal of the Care Today For Tomorrow Capital Campaign is to raise $18
million and this campaign will help the hospital meet its two greatest
challenges: to close the gap in medical equipment and technology needed to
sustain day-to-day hospital services for Islanders; and to provide new medical
equipment for Phase 1 Redevelopment, which involves the emergency, day surgery
and expansion to the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre facilities.
    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