Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort: Breast Cancer Event More Than Doubles Amount Raised

BANFF, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 23, 2011) - More than $25,000 for breast cancer research was raised in Sunday's third annual Bikinis for Breast Cancer event at Sunshine Village.

"It's been amazing," says Hayley Cresp, Sunshine's Events Coordinator. Last year, approximately $10,000 was raised.

Two teams of three participants raised more than $3,000: Victoria's Secrets raised $3,115 and a group called Save the Tatas raised $3,103. "For one team of three girls to raise three thousand dollars, it's just unbelievable," said Cresp. The largest individual fundraising was achieved by Amber Kosdorf, who rode down Strawberry face at Sunshine Village with $1,330 of pledges in her hip pocket.

Sunshine Village provides organizational assistance, staff time and a venue for the event. Since Sunshine held its inaugural event in April 2009, it has grown steadily. Other area ski resorts are now holding similar fundraisers. Women 18 years of age and older participated in the event, which involves riding down Strawberry face in a bikini top and snow pants.

Sergei Scurfield, one of Sunshine Village's ownership partners, presented the cheque to representatives from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

"Sunshine is very proud to support the Breast Cancer Foundation," said Scurfield. "This is a great event and supports a great charity."

He added that a fundraiser like this "is the least Sunshine Village can do to help fight the battle against cancer."

"It seems like (the event) keeps growing each year," says Willow Ridley, Coordinator, Urban Partnerships for the CBCF.

On average, 445 Canadian women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer every week, and 100 of these women will die every week.

High-resolution images are available by request