Montreal (June 30, 2014) – For more than 75 youngsters with life-threatening allergies, participating in a soccer clinic hosted by the Montreal Impact and Allerject™ was a dream come true.
For an hour and a half on Sunday, June 29, the kids were put through their paces by the club’s official Soccer Schools.
“This event demonstrated to these young people that, with proper precaution and preparation, they can reach for the stars – that they do not have to be defined by their allergies,” says Dominique Seigneur, of l'Association québécoise des allergies alimentaires (AQAA).
The Montreal Impact and Allerject™ have teamed up to raise public awareness of severe allergies and the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis.
“The club is delighted to be playing a role in this important effort,” said Impact president Joey Saputo. “We have a lot of young fans and we want to do everything we can to promote their safety.”
The new partnership agreement includes the creation of the Allerject™ Zone at the stadium where fans can learn about the challenges of anaphylaxis and about Allerject™, the world’s first and only ’talking' epinephrine auto-injector available from Sanofi Canada. The Montreal Impact and its Academy teams are now also stocking Allerject™ in their emergency medical kits and first-aid stations.
"This a tremendous opportunity to work with the Impact organization in building public awareness of anaphylaxis and how to be prepared in the event of an allergic emergency," said Jon Fairest, President and CEO of Sanofi Canada.
For more information about Allerject™, visit http://www.allerject.ca/ or follow us on Twitter (@Allerject). For more information about the Montreal Impact, visit www.impactmontreal.com or follow on Twitter (@impactmontreal) and Facebook.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Sanofi entities in Canada include Sanofi Canada (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (cosmeceuticals, over-the-counter products and specialty care), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ close to 1,700 people across the country. In 2013 Sanofi companies invested $129.1 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country.
About the Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact made its debut in 1993. The club now has 11 teams under its banner (MLS, U23, U18, U16, U14, U13, U12, U11, U10, U9 and U8), including its own sports scholastic program. The 2014 season marks the club’s third year in MLS, the most prestigious soccer league in North America. In second division, the club won three league championships (1994, 2004 and 2009), five regular season titles (1995, 1996, 1997, 2005 and 2006), one Canadian Championship and made it to the quarterfinal round of the CONCACAF Champions League in 2009. In 2013, the club won its second Canadian Championship and also qualified for the MLS playoffs for the first time. Stade Saputo, home of the club since 2008, was expanded to 20,801 seats for MLS.
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For more information, please contact:
Lamia Charlebois
514-279-4601
rp@lamiacharlebois.com
Nadia Rahman
Communications, Sanofi Canada
514-856-8754
nadia.rahman@sanofi.com
Patrick Vallée
Director, Communications – Montreal Impact
Patrick.vallee@impactmontreal.com
514-328-3668, 227