Toronto Star

A SWEET RIDE

2017 911 Carrera Cabriolet, worth $176,251.61, is most expensive prize car yet

- ROSS FATTORI SPECIAL TO THE STAR

2017 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet in prize pot,

For the fifth straight year, the Trillium Automobile Dealers Associatio­n has donated a brand-new car for the Rock the Road Raffle in support of Prostate Cancer Canada.

This year’s car (the most valuable car ever given away at the Canadian Internatio­nal AutoShow) is a 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet worth $176,251.61, which includes $20,000 in custom TECHART upgrades from the experts at PFAFF Tuning.

The 911 boasts a twin-turbo, threelitre Boxer 6 engine that makes 370 horsepower and 331 lb.-ft. of torque. It can accelerate from zero to 96.5 km/h in 4.6 seconds.

“It’s important that we, as corporate leaders, give back to the communitie­s we serve,” says Todd Bourgon, TADA’s executive director. “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to affect Canadian men and we wanted to do something about it. We’re thrilled to have helped raise well over $1 million for Prostate Cancer Canada.”

Prostate Cancer Canada supports research to uncover better diagnostic and treatment options. It also provides comprehens­ive support services for those living with prostate cancer. PCC is the leading national foundation dedicated to the eliminatio­n of the disease through research, education, support and awareness.

“We are proud of our long-standing partnershi­p with the Trillium Automobile Dealers Associatio­n,” says Adam Miller, manager of communicat­ions at Prostate Cancer Canada. “On behalf of Canadian men and their families, we can’t thank the TADA enough for their generous support donating a brand new, modified 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera in support of prostate cancer research.”

In addition to funding critical programs related to awareness and public education about prostate cancer, the Rock the Road Raffle is meant to trigger conversati­ons.

“Men often find it difficult to openly and proactivel­y discuss their health,” says Miller. “Part of the goal of this raffle and our other fundraiser­s throughout the year is to empower Canadian males to take a more active role in monitoring their No. 1 cancer risk: prostate cancer.

“Men will spend a lot of time and money on their cars, and so checking under the hood of this TADA-donated car might serve as a rallying point for men to check under their own hoods for prostate cancer.”

With the monitoring and treatment options available, prostate cancer has become a much more manageable disease.

“When detected early, the survival rate for prostate cancer is 100 per cent at five years,” says Miller. “It’s important to their health and wellbeing that Canadian men be aware, talk to their doctors and get tested.”

Miller adds that Prostate Cancer Canada’s partnershi­p with the TADA, and with its media partner, the Toronto Star, has helped to improve prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and support in Canada. One hundred per cent of the proceeds from ticket sales for The Rock the Road Raffle go toward prostate cancer research in Ontario (it’s an OLG requiremen­t).

In 2017, an estimated 21,300 Canadian men were diagnosed with the disease and 4,100 died of prostate cancer. Over the past two decades, the death rate for men with prostate cancer has declined by 40 per cent. This is likely due to improved testing of prostate cancer and better treatment options.

“The TADA is delighted with the public response to the draw for this modified Porsche Carrera 911,” Bourgon says.

“The Rock the Road Raffle has sold out every year and it helps to deliver a message about the importance of educating men about the need for early detection and to provide assistance for those who have been diagnosed.”

In 2017, the Financial Post published its annual charities report card, and Prostate Cancer Canada was among the top 3 in the category of health, for accountabi­lity and transparen­cy.

The Rock the Raffle draw will take place at the 2018 Canadian Internatio­nal AutoShow between noon and1 p.m. on Feb. 23, in the Auto Exotica feature area on level 100 in the North Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

For more informatio­n about Prostate Cancer Canada, visit prostateca­ncer.ca and follow PCC on Twitter and Facebook.

 ?? COURTESY OF PROSTATE CANCER CANADA ?? The 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet can accelerate from zero to 96.5 km/h in 4.6 seconds.
COURTESY OF PROSTATE CANCER CANADA The 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet can accelerate from zero to 96.5 km/h in 4.6 seconds.

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