The ninth annual Tree of Life fundraising campaign is underway at Shoppers Drug Marts across Canada, having raised more than $13 million since 2002.
The four week campaign, which ends October 18, raises money in support of leading local women's health organizations and charities in the communities they serve.
"The Tree of Life campaign will see 100 per cent of the proceeds donated to women's health organizations, ensuring women have even greater access to the information and resources they need to stay healthy in mind, body and spirit," said Lisa Gibbs, manager, community investment, Shoppers Drug Mart.
"With the commitment and support of our pharmacist-owners and their teams at store-level, our employees and customers, we are confident that we will reach our goal of raising $2 million to improve the health of women and their families across Canada," she said.
In Prince George, the Shoppers Drug Mart at Pine Centre Mall is supporting St., Paul's Hospital: Women's Cardiovascular Health Research. The other two stores, in Spruceland Mall and College Heights, are supporting the Spirit of the North Health Foundation Women's Program.
This year, the campaign has introduced new icons for the Tree of Life, which customers can purchase and personalize, including a "leaf" for a loonie, a "butterfly" for $5 or a "cardinal" for $50. The new icons are on display in all participating stores.
Taking into account the needs of the community, each pharmacist-owner and their store teams personally select a women's health organization to benefit from the funds raised.
This year, the campaign will support more than 375 Canadian health-care related charities.
