Funds raised support breast cancer research, treatment, and awareness programs

TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - CIBC (CM: TSX) (CM: NYSE) is pleased to announce that on Sunday, October 6, 15,000 employees, family and friends, walked, ran, or volunteered in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, raising more than $3 million.

As title sponsor of the Run since 1997, Team CIBC is proud to have helped the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation raise a total of $27 million from this year's event for breast cancer research, treatment and awareness programs. Team CIBC's support included raising funds through pledges, fundraising initiatives and the CIBC Pink Collection™.

"CIBC is proud to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for a cause that affects so many Canadians and is important to both our clients and employees," says Christina Kramer, CIBC's Executive Vice-President and the bank's National Run Champion. "Team CIBC's strong participation demonstrates how passionate and dedicated our employees are about making a difference to the lives of people touched by breast cancer."

Through advances in medical research and treatment, in part made possible by volunteer-lead fundraising initiatives like the CIBC Run for the Cure, 42 per cent more people survive from breast cancer today than 25 years ago.

However, breast cancer is still the most common cancer for women in Canada, with one in nine expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime.

"The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is proud of the longstanding support of CIBC, true champions in helping realize our vision of creating a future without breast cancer," said Jane Parsons, co-CEO, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  "CIBC's continued commitment makes it possible for the Foundation to continue funding the most promising breast cancer research and supporting the breast cancer community across the country."

CIBC's commitment to the cause includes dedicated employees like Jeff Timmons, who has taken fundraising to new heights this year with his climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank employees also took part in the second annual Walk for the Cure in 17 countries across the Caribbean, in support of cancer charities across the region.

About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure
Since 1992, the annual Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure has been the largest, single-day, volunteer-led national event in support of creating a future without breast cancer. On October 5, 2014, this national movement will again connect participants and volunteers in 66 communities across the country. For more information, visit www.cbcf.org

About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
For over 25 years, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation has been at the forefront of a nation-wide movement to raise awareness and mobilize action on breast cancer. Today, the Foundation is the leading organization in Canada dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer. Since 1986, from coast to coast, we have invested over $274 million to fund vital research and community health grants that have led progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Visit www.cbcf.org and join the movement.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. 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. In 2012, CIBC contributed more than $38 million to over 1,900 charitable and non-profit initiatives in 450 communities. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

Attention Editors: Regional CIBC Run Champions are available for interviews and can share their personal stories about why they became involved in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.

SOURCE Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

Image with caption: "Breast cancer survivor Marina Rochon and her daughter Emma at Sunday's CIBC Run for the Cure event in Toronto. (CNW Group/Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131007_C7886_PHOTO_EN_31783.jpg

Image with caption: "The 15,000 members of Team CIBC are among the hundreds and thousands of people across Canada who participated in this year's CIBC Run for the Cure. (CNW Group/Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131007_C7886_PHOTO_EN_31785.jpg