New coin to raise awareness of cancer

Apr. 1, 2006. 01:00 AM

A new quarter, a collaboration of the Royal Canadian Mint and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, will go into circulation today.

The coin will be adorned with a pink ribbon, a symbol of the disease that touches so many. Last year, 21,600 women and 150 men in Canada could expect a diagnosis of breast cancer; it was expected to kill 5,000 women and 45 men.

Designed by the mint’s director of engraving, Cosme Saffioti, the quarter will be Canada’s second coloured coin. The first, 2004’s red poppy quarter, garnered attention as the world’s first painted circulation coin.

“This coin will serve to remind all Canadians that, by working together, we can contribute to creating a future without breast cancer,” Lawrence Cannon, minister of transport and communities, said in a statement.

Up to 30 million breast cancer coins will be minted. People can exchange a quarter for the pink-ribbon coin at Shoppers Drug Mart or Pharmaprix stores.

“It’s the first time we’ve actually tried to create an awareness for a cause,” said Pam Aung Thin, vice-president of communications for the mint.

canadian PRESS

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