VANCOUVER, Sept. 17 /CNW/ - A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. (TSE: AW.UN) is proud to announce that its second annual Cruisin' for a Cause fundraiser held on August 26 nearly doubled last year's total and raised over $700,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

"A&W would like to thank all its customers, staff, classic car owners, car clubs and other supporters for helping to make the 2^nd Annual Cruisin' for a Cause event such a huge success," said Paul Hollands, President and CEO, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. "I am very proud of both the A&W and Multiple Sclerosis Society teams' passion and commitment to this important cause, and hope our partnership can help to make a difference in the lives of the 55,000 to 75,000 Canadians and their families living with MS."

"For the second year in a row, A&W has demonstrated its steadfast support of the MS Society's mission to be a leader in finding a cure and enhance the quality of life for people affected by MS," says Yves Savoie, President and CEO of the MS Society of Canada. "The overwhelming success of Cruisin' for a Cause is a testament to the generosity and support of A&W employees and customers. We are proud to partner with A&W, and look forward to continued collaboration in the movement to end MS."

More than 700 A&W restaurants across Canada helped raise funds through the sale of classic car cut-outs, donation boxes and by donating $1 from every Teen Burger^® sold on August 26.  Cruisin' for a Cause (or Journée Rétro as it is known in Quebec) raised both funds and awareness of MS through a variety of events including classic car gatherings, retro music, car hop service and car hop relay races, and Great A&W Root Bear^® visits.

Last year, the inaugural national campaign was able to raise $400,000 for the MS Society of Canada and brought awareness to a disease that is typically diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, the prime income and family-building years. Awareness reached new heights this year as #cruisinforacause became a top trending topic on Twitter in Canada on August 26. Facebook also saw over 11,000 people RSVP to one of over 700 Cruisin' events across the country. 

Canada has one of the highest incidence rates of multiple sclerosis in the world. Funds raised through the campaign support research and services for people with MS and their families. Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada. 

Cruisin' for a Cause is a fundraising event affiliated with A&W's national Cruisin' the Dub program, which began over ten years ago at a grassroots level in various communities. It was created by baby boomer classic car enthusiasts who enjoyed gathering at A&W to share a passion for their vintage autos. The popular fundraiser creates an opportunity for Canadian baby boomers who grew up enjoying warm summer evenings in their cars at A&W drive-ins - often with the radio blaring and trays of Teen^® burgers hand-made onion rings and icy cold A&W Root Beer^® delivered by car hops - to revisit those fond memories, enjoy classic, muscle and hot rod cars while supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. is 100 per cent Canadian owned and is one of the strongest brand names in the Canadian foodservice industry. A&W is the nation's second largest hamburger restaurant company with 716 locations coast-to-coast. A&W Restaurants feature famous trade-marked menu items such as The Burger Family^®, Chubby Chicken^®, and A&W Root Beer^®. For more information, please visit www.aw.ca.

About multiple sclerosis and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease. Please visit www.mssociety.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 to make a donation or for more information.