Toymaker provides new hope for preventing hearing loss in young cancer patients

MEGA Brands and McGill Head & Neck Cancer Fund launch 3-year $1M fundraising campaign to support new Montreal Children's Hospital

MONTREAL, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The 3-year, $1 million fundraising campaign was announced on June 14 at the 18th annual McGill Head & Neck Fundraising gala, honoring the Founder and Chairman of MEGA Brands (TSX: MB), Victor J. Bertrand Sr.

"MEGA Brands is committed to giving back to the Montreal community", said Vic Bertrand, Chief Innovation Officer, "We are proud to partner with the McGill Cancer Head & Neck Fund to contribute in building a better future for our children, one block at a time".

The funds will be directed to support Dr. Sam Daniel, Director Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the Montreal Children's Hospital, and his world-class research lab which focuses on hearing loss in children caused by cancer treatment.

"Unfortunately, chemotherapy can cause severe irreversible hearing loss in 50% to 90% of all pediatric cancer patients.  This has a tremendous impact on the quality of life of pediatric cancer survivors, as hearing loss can worsen over time and impede speech and language development", said Dr. Saul Frenkiel, Chair of the McGill Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. "This campaign is an exciting opportunity to support the important research to find cures for a devastating side-effect of cancer treatment."

The campaign was unveiled with the presentation of the Mega Bloks Wellness Wall For Kids.  The wall will be built out of Mega Bloks blocks, each one representing a donation by supporters from the Montreal community, and will be installed at the new Montreal's Children Hospital on the Glen site. More information on the Mega Bloks Wellness Wall for Kids, as well as directions on how to make a donation, will become available in mid-September 2012.

"We are very grateful for this collaboration, which will have a major impact on the lives of children with cancer," said Marie-Josée Gariépy, president of the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation.

About MEGA Brands
MEGA Brands is a trusted family of leading global brands in construction toys, games & puzzles, arts & crafts and stationery. They offer engaging creative experiences for children, families and collectors through innovative, well-designed, affordable and high-quality products. Visit: megabrands.com for more information. The MEGA logo, Mega Bloks, RoseArt, MEGA Puzzles, MEGA Games and Board Dudes are trademarks of MEGA Brands Inc. or its affiliates.

About the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation
The Montreal Children's Hospital is the pediatric teaching hospital of the McGill University Health Centre. The Children's is a leader in providing a broad spectrum of highly specialized care to newborns, children, and adolescents from all across Quebec. Visit childrenfoundation.com for more information about the Foundation and the construction of the new Montreal Children's Hospital on the Glen Campus, which is expected to open its doors at the end of 2014.

SOURCE MEGA BRANDS INC.