Athletes for Care Partners with New Leaf Canada Inc. to Expand North American Outreach
TORONTO – March 12, 2019 /AxisWire/ New Leaf Canada Inc. (New Leaf), one of Canada’s premier cannabis wellness brands, has committed to make a significant donation to fund research and education initiatives of Athletes for CARE Canada. Founded by former professional athletes, Athletes for CARE is empowering legendary athletes from every sport to use their influence to improve global standards of health, safety and quality of life.
“This is an important step in expanding our services throughout North America and Athletes for Care is honored that NewLeaf understands the importance of our mission and is supporting our efforts to be impactful,” said Anna Valent, Executive Director, Athletes for CARE. “Health, wellness and safety in sports are global issues that affect athletes of all ages and we are excited to have this opportunity to expand the research and education services we provide in Canada.”
As part of their contribution, NewLeaf will donate to fund the Canadian activation of A4C, with continued support to be donated in this first fiscal year. In addition to financial contributions, NewLeaf will help A4C build their Canadian team of passionate organizations and professional athletes; as well as support A4C’s research and education initiatives.
“I am very excited to have NewLeaf supporting Athletes for CARE Canada as part of their global expansion,” said Ryan VandenBussche, a former professional hockey player, founder and President of New Leaf Canada Inc. “After my retirement from the NHL in 2006 and having undergone more than a dozen surgeries I know firsthand how detrimental traditional pain management such as opioids can have on your physical and mental wellbeing.”
The step is one component of A4C’s larger efforts to expand its footprint in North America; which includes registering as a non-profit organization in Canada. Like its American counterpart, A4C Canada will leverage the voice of professional athletes to use their influence to improve global standards of health, safety and quality of life.
Serving as Executive Director for A4C’s North American operations will be Anna Valent. As previously announced, Christina Michael will serve as A4C’s Director of Canadian Activation. A separate Board of Directors for A4C Canada will be formed and filled with key influencers who are passionate about A4C’s mission; including A4C chair Lindy Snider and former NHL Philadelphia Flyers enforcer and Athletes for CARE co-founder Riley Cote.
About Athletes for CARE
Athletes for CARE (A4C) is a not-for-profit organization launched in 2016 by passionate retired professional athletes who recognized the need to advocate for the health, safety and wellness of the more than 2 billion people of all ages who compete annually in sanctioned sports globally. Through that advocacy, we are improving health and wellness options for the billions of people around the world living with mental and physical illnesses including chronic pain, depression, anxiety, PTSD, CTE, TBI, substance abuse and opioid dependency. For more information, please visit athletesforcare.org.