1 Child Reported Missing Every 9 Minutes in Canada

CALGARY, ALBERTA, May 19 (MARKET WIRE) --
It is a staggering statistic: an average of 60,000 children are reported
missing every year in Canada. That's the equivalent of 1 child every 9
minutes. The numbers are overwhelming - especially when you consider that
every single missing child in that statistic has their own unique story.
Every missing child has a frightened family, a heartbroken best friend,
and a wounded community. Each year on May 25th, National Missing Children
Day, the Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) offers a show of
support for our missing children and their loved ones through the "Light
the Way Home" campaign. On the evening of May 25th, MCSC is asking
Canadians to turn on your porch lights and help "Light the Way Home" for
our missing children.

"The Light the Way Home campaign is a simple but powerful way that all
Canadians can show their support and empathy for the many searching
families in our communities," said Marilyne Aalhus, Director of
Development with MCSC. "Our porch lights shining brightly through the
darkness on May 25th become a powerful symbol of the hope we all share
for the safe return of missing children everywhere and provides assurance
to searching families that their children are not forgotten."

The "Light the Way Home" campaign was first introduced in Canada in1995,
to run in conjunction with National Missing Children Day, to help raise
public awareness and involvement in the search for missing children in
our country. "National Missing Children Day is a day of remembrance, and
it is a day of renewed hope. Together, we can all make a small but
meaningful gesture to show we remain committed to continuing the search,"
said Aalhus.

MCSC helps approximately 300 searching families every year and has
assisted police in closing over 5,400 missing children cases since 1986.
To learn more about MCSC, and to find information about the missing
children across Canada, visit www.mcsc.ca. To set up an interview with
MCSC, or a spokesfamily in your area, call Marilyne Aalhus at
1-800-661-6160.

Contacts:
Missing Children Society of Canada
Marilyne Aalhus, Director of Development
(403) 291-0705 or Toll Free: 1-800-661-6160
Cell: (403) 862-5357
(403) 291-9728 (FAX)
Email: maalhus@mcsc.ca
Website: www.mcsc.ca

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