Thunder Bay, ON – For the eighth year, Freedom 55 Financial is providing golfers an opportunity to spend a day on the course with hockey players from Northwestern Ontario. The Freedom 55 Financial Thunder Bay Hockey Celebrity Golf Classic, one of the premiere golf events on the summer schedule, will take place at Whitewater Golf Course on Thursday, July 11, 2013 in support of the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

Top NHL Players Tee off to Fight Cancer

In the past, hockey greats Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, Mark Staal, Jared Staal, Alex Auld, Patrick Sharp, Tyler Pyatt, Mike Richards, Trevor Letowski, Jeff Heerema and many others joined teams of golfers in the best-ball tournament. 1 of 30 hockey players joins each team of four golfers.

“This event gives participants an opportunity to get to know some of our local hockey celebrities, while supporting exceptional, close-to-home cancer care,” said Tom Mihaljevic, event chair and Director, Business Development for Freedom 55 Financial.

“The tournament has always been enthusiastically supported by the hockey players. They have a chance to meet community members who understand the critical need for investment in our cancer centre, to ensure our families and friends have the very best opportunity to survive cancer.”

“My support for the Northern Cancer Fund comes from my own personal experience with this awful disease,” said Ryan Johnson, Former NHL Hockey Professional. “Whether it be ourselves, family, friends or even a mere acquaintance, we all, unfortunately, will face the unrelenting grip of cancer. Through the Northern Cancer Fund, we have the ability to raise awareness, improve the chances of early detection, better the care facilities, and hopefully one day find a cure. Many of us local hockey players, past and present, sadly don’t spend as much time in our home city of Thunder Bay. This tournament gives us a chance to get together, have some laughs with fans and local business personalities, and give to a cause that needs our help.”

To date, The Freedom 55 Financial Thunder Bay Hockey Celebrity Golf Classic has raised over $230,000 for the Northern Cancer Fund of the Health Sciences Foundation. “100% of those funds stay in Northwestern Ontario to support cancer education & awareness, screening, treatment and research,” said Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Health Sciences Foundation.

“Events like this one have a direct impact on cancer patients in our community. Because of support like this, more people are living with cancer than dying from it.” Craig applauds the outstanding commitment of Freedom 55 Financial and the hockey players. “The impact of funds raised cannot be understated,” said Craig. “The difference these funds make is felt by our cancer patients, their families, and staff.”

The event’s fundraising success can be attributed to exciting opportunities for sponsors and golfers. New this year are a few different sponsorship opportunities including a Halfway Hut Sponsor, as well as new Hole and Contest sponsors.

“I think the most exciting development for golfers in our tournament this year is the introduction of the Premier’s Club,” said Mihaljevic. “For an extra $500 on top of registration, you’ll receive a cooler full of snacks and refreshments, a team caddy, personal service and a few extra surprises on tournament day. It pretty much guarantees a fantastic day on the course, regardless of your score!”

Freedom 55 Financial’s support for the tournament has come through The Key to Giving™, the national corporate citizenship program of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. Freedom 55 Financial staff, management and advisors devote their time and enthusiasm to the tournament as organizers, volunteers and leaders to help ensure the success of the event.

For details on the tournament, updates on celebrity players, photos from past events and other information, visit the website of the Freedom 55 Financial Thunder Bay Hockey Celebrity Golf Classic, www.thunderbaycelebritygolf.ca. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tom Mihaljevic, Freedom 55 Financial, at (807) 343-4788 ext: 522.