Recipients demonstrate student leadership to help find a cure for breast cancer

TORONTO, Dec. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - CIBC (CM: TSX) (CM: NYSE) is pleased to announce this year's Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure Post Secondary Challenge CIBC Education Award winners.

Each year, CIBC and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation challenge post-secondary students to show their pink spirit, get involved, and raise funds for breast cancer research, education, and awareness initiatives. In celebration of their hard work and dedication to giving back to their community, the top five national and 10 regional individual fundraisers across Canada receive a CIBC Education Award of $2,500 to help with school expenses.

This year's 2013 CIBC Education Award recipients are:

1. Becky Bohlender - University of Calgary
2. Beatrice Britneff - Carleton University
3. Laura Coleman - University of Alberta
4. Caroline Cormier - University of Toronto
5. Simona Flumian - York University
6. Heather Friedt - University of Calgary
7. Devynn Helischauer - University of Lethbridge
8. Jessica Kilik - Grant MacEwan University
9. Anna Kovalchuk - University of Lethbridge
10. Sarah LeRose - University of British Columbia
11. Amanda Leung - University of Calgary
12. Isabel Mejia - Collège O'Sullivan
13. Paige Stannard - University of Calgary
14. Leah Stickel - University of Alberta
15. Brooke Turner - Mount Allison University

"This award is important to me because as a survivor myself, and someone who is pursuing post-secondary education, it made a difference" said Heather Friedt, a breast cancer survivor, veterinary student at the University of Calgary and one of 15 CIBC Education Award winners across Canada. "It meant I could afford to go to school despite the year I took off when I was undergoing treatment. I am extremely grateful to have won the award."

The top fundraising school in this year's Post Secondary Challenge was Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Queen's recently received an exclusive concert from musical sensation Down With Webster, courtesy of CIBC, beating out other schools across Canada for the second consecutive year.

"I would like to congratulate the 2013 CIBC Education Award recipients, and all students participating in the Post Secondary Challenge across Canada, for your fundraising efforts and dedication to the cause," said Christina Kramer, CIBC Executive Vice-President and National Run Champion. "You inspire hope that the legacy of the CIBC Run for the Cure will continue through the compassion, determination, and strong leadership of future generations."

This year, the Post Secondary Challenge program raised close to $500,000 to help support the Foundation's vision of creating a future without breast cancer.

"We are delighted with the enthusiasm and support we received from the post-secondary community across the country and appreciate the dedication of all participants to the breast cancer cause," said Jane Parsons, co-CEO, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. "We also wish to thank CIBC for their incredible support as title sponsor and for providing school funding in support of the Program."

To view the results of the 2013 Post Secondary Challenge online, visit www.runforthecure.com/psc.

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 Sunday, October 6, 2013 this national movement connected 130,000 participants and volunteers in 66 communities across the country. For more information, visit www.runforthecure.com.

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 2013, CIBC contributed more than $41 million to nearly 1,900 charitable and non-profit initiatives in more than 430 communities. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

SOURCE Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce