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News Release

May 11, 2007

Donated Aeroplan Miles Get Multiplied on May 17

Donated Aeroplan miles are just as valuable as cash for two U of G organizations that will be benefiting from Aeroplan’s Mileage Multiplying Day on May 17.

Veterinarians Without Borders/VSF - Canada, supported by OVC, and the local chapter of Engineers Without Borders are among the seven charities that are members of Aeroplan’s Beyond Miles program. Aeroplan members are able to transfer miles to these charities online at www.aeroplan.com/donate. The charities use the miles to send volunteers overseas and across Canada.

On May 17, Aeroplan will donate two miles for every mile donated online to a specific charity. A number of Aeroplan commercial partners are also matching donated miles on that day. A minimum of 1,000 miles is required for an online donation.

Professor emeritus Wayne McDonell of the department of clinical studies and treasurer of Veterinarians Without Borders - Canada, said the program has allowed the organization to pay for 21 flights over the past year. These flights include sending volunteers to Malawi to help poor dairy farmers improve the health of their cattle, to Sri Lanka to help build a veterinary public health model and to Tanzania to reduce poverty and enhance food production using genetically improved chickens.

“When you consider the average cost of a flight is well over $1,000, that can add up to a significant amount of financial donations,” said McDonell. “So if you have Aeroplan miles you want to donate, make sure you donate them online on May 17. With the matching multiplier, it will only take four minimum donations to cover a full North American flight.”