3.31.2006 ET

(CSRwire) Starting tomorrow, 65 Esso retailers across the Lower Mainland and Victoria are selling Miracle Balloons in hopes of raising $25,000 for the 19th annual BC Children's Hospital Miracle Weekend.

"We are proud to support the BC Children's Hospital," says Joe Calderone, retail sales manager, Imperial Oil Limited. "It provides vital health services to the children of British Columbia and the Yukon."

In addition to the Miracle Balloon sales, Esso retailers in conjunction with the Esso Community Fund are donating $35,000 to sponsor various BC Children's Hospital Foundation community events such as the 2006 HSBC Childrun. Esso is a gold sponsor of the 21st annual HSBC Childrun, taking place June 4, 2006 to raise funds for childhood cancer research. This year approximately 4,000 people are expected to run or walk a 1km or 5km route. The race has raised over $2 million since 1985.

"We're delighted to have Esso join us in our mission to help sick children get better," says Sue Carruthers, president and chief executive office of BC Children's Hospital Foundation. "By raising awareness of Childrun and raising money for BC Children's Hospital, Esso retailers are demonstrating their commitment to BC's children and communities."

Miracle Balloons are on sale for $2 each for the entire month of April at participating Esso-branded retail stations and On the Run stores in the Lower Mainland and Victoria. Donations to the Miracle Weekend go directly to the Children's Hospital to support the purchase of life-saving equipment, research into the treatment, prevention and cure of childhood disease, recruitment and educational programs for caregivers and programs in communities throughout the province. Children's Hospital is the province's only fullservice pediatric acute care hospital and serves the more than one million children living in BC and the Yukon.

About Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil has been a proud part of Canada for 126 years, contributing to communities from coast to coast since its inception in 1880. That tradition of giving continues today and in 2005, Imperial contributed more than $12.0 million to 500 organizations across Canada with an emphasis on youth, education and important community services.

About Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids by raising funds for 170 hospitals across North America. Through its year-round efforts, Children's Miracle Network has raised more than $200 million since its inception for the
14 children's hospitals in Canada.

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