Respected health professional Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will launch the campaign and actively participate alongside celebrity Geoff Janz and Canon staff, who will all be fitted out with pedometers, at a cost of $30 each which will be paid for by Canon.

Participants will seek sponsorship from friends and family, with proceeds going towards granting the wishes of the two terminally ill children. Vani, of Willmot NSW, suffers from cancer and wishes to visit the Gold Coast theme parks. Tayla of Shailer Park, Queensland, is battling leukaemia and wants nothing more than a holiday in the snow.

According to Nicole Kentley, Make-A-Wish Foundation corporate development manager, Canon’s involvement during Make A Wish Week will bring the organisation’s aim to grant a wish for every day of 2003 closer to reality.

“We’re thrilled that the largest corporate activity during Make-A-Wish Week has attracted such support from the team at Canon,” says Kentley.

Canon’s involvement also fits in with its ’kyoseri’ philosophy of corporate and individual citizenship, as well as providing health benefits for all employees. The term ’kyosei’ translates from the Japanese as “living and working together for the common good”. For Canon, this involves taking responsibility for the impact of the company’s activities on society.

“This desire to make a positive contribution to our community has galvanised all of Canon Australia,” says Shuichi Tsukahara, Canon Australia managing director.

“Through 100 million steps, Canon Australia will create a healthier workplace, support two children with life-threatening illnesses, and demonstrate our commitment to corporate and individual citizenship.”

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter