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Their Death Reminds Us to Drive Sober: MADD Canada’s Project Red Ribbon Campaign Calls on Canadians to Prevent Impaired Driving

globenewswire.com
UBER Uber is mentioned as an official sponsor of MADD Canada's Project Red Ribbon campaign, indicating a corporate social responsibility initiative rather than a direct impact on its stock performance or business operations. BMO BMO is listed as a Corporate Sponsor for MADD Canada's Project Red Ribbon campaign. This is a sponsorship mention and does not reflect on the company's financial performance or stock. DEO Diageo is mentioned as an official sponsor of MADD Canada's Project Red Ribbon campaign. This is a corporate social responsibility mention and does not directly reflect on its stock performance.

Their Death Reminds Us to Drive Sober: MADD Canada’s Project Red Ribbon Campaign Calls on Canadians to Prevent Impaired Driving VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Suparna and Suranjan Das were beloved parents, grandparents and pillars of the Bangladeshi community. On August 5, 2022, their lives were tragically cut short in an alcohol-related crash while they were on vacation. This year, their memory will help carry an urgent message to Canadians: impaired driving is preventable, and every one of us has a role to play in stopping it.

MADD Canada is dedicating its 39 th iconic annual Project Red Ribbon campaign to Suparna and Suranjan Das, honouring their memory while reminding Canadians that impaired driving is not just a statistic. Its consequences extend far beyond a crash, leaving families, friends and entire communities to cope with devastating pain. For the first time, campaign materials will be available in Bengali, alongside English and French, helping extend the campaign’s message to more communities. As Canadians prepare to gather with loved ones and colleagues over the holiday season, MADD Canada is urging everyone to plan a safe ride and commit to sober driving.

“During the holiday season, we look forward to gathering around the dinner table with the people we love,” said Trisha Dosaj, MADD Canada National President, who was injured in an impaired driving crash in 2013 with her daughter, Sophia, while her sister, Jayna, and unborn niece, Lauren, were killed in the same crash. “But for families affected by impaired driving, there may be empty seats where loved ones should be. Others are coping with serious injuries and the lasting consequences of a crash. Suparna and Suranjan Das should still be here with their family. Their memory reminds us every decision we make behind the wheel can help protect another family from this heartbreak.”

A MADD Canada survey conducted by Ipsos found that more than 90% of Canadians agree that impaired driving is a serious public safety issue, including 74% who strongly agree. Yet impaired driving continues to kill hundreds of people and injure thousands more every year in Canada. These crashes are preventable, and continued public awareness is essential to changing behaviours and saving lives.

Today’s national launch event will be held at Vancouver Police Department with Sharmistha Das, daughter of Suparna and Suranjan and family members. There will be special speakers and guests attending, including: Trisha Dosaj, National President, MADD Canada; Chief Constable Steve Rai, Vancouver Police Department; Toby Louie, Assistant Deputy Minister and Superintendent of Motor Vehicles, RoadSafetyBC; Lisa Dominato, Councillor for the City of Vancouver; Will Ng, A/Commr, RCMP; Trevor Connelly, Interim Fire Chief, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services; Michael van Hemmen, General Manager, Uber Canada Rides; Stephanie Theede, Vice President, Human Resources, KAG Canada; Charlie Grahn, President, MADD Metro Vancouver; Brad Truswell, Executive Director, RoadSafetyBC; Sean Jang, Branch Manager, BMO; Roman Muoio, Personal Banking Associate, BMO; Dawn Regan, Chief Operating Officer, MADD Canada; and Tracy Crawford, Regional Manager, Western Canada, MADD Canada.

From November 1, 2026 to January 4, 2027, MADD Canada Chapter volunteers will distribute red ribbons and car decals, organize community awareness activities and raise funds to prevent impaired driving and support victims and survivors. Canadians are encouraged to display a red ribbon and/or car decal on their vehicle, or attach a red ribbon on their key chains, and/or other personal belongings, as a pledge to drive sober. MADD Canada encourages everyone participating to share their commitment on social media using #ProjectRedRibbon. Radio and television public service announcements will further reinforce the importance of sober driving throughout the holiday season.

The Light Up Red campaign will also return this year, with nearly 50 landmarks, government and municipal buildings across the country illuminating in red to honour victims and survivors of impaired driving. Landmarks, government buildings and municipalities interested in participating are encouraged to contact MADD Canada to learn how they can support the campaign. A list of lighting locations can be found here.

MADD Canada thank its Official Sponsors Uber, KAG Canada and Diageo, as well as its Corporate Sponsors BMO, Irving Oil and Cascades, for their continued partnership in preventing impaired driving during the holiday season and throughout the year. For a full list of this year’s sponsors and coin box partners, click here.

Canadians can show their commitment to sober driving by obtaining red ribbons and car decals through their local MADD Canada Chapters, online at madd.ca, or by emailing info@madd.ca. Donations in support of Project Red Ribbon can be made on madd.ca or by calling 1-800-665-6233.

About MADD Canada

MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims and survivors of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in close to 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. For more information, visit www.madd.ca. Follow MADD Canada on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

For more information, contact:

Arielle Nkongmeneck, MADD Canada Communications Manager, 1-800-665-6233 ext. 240 or ankongmeneck@madd.ca