November 24, 2010 (Canmore, AB) – Afexa Life Sciences Inc., the maker of COLD-FX, is extending its financial and in-kind support of Fast and Female up to 2012. As a key supporter of Fast and Female since 2009, COLD-FX will continue to provide the resources required for the organization’s sustainability and growth. New for 2011, Calgary-based, Lit Cosmetics, is partnering with Fast and Female to provide glamorous glitter products for use at all of the organization’s youth events throughout the season.

Founded in 2005 by Chandra Crawford – a 2006 Olympic gold medallist in cross-country skiing – Fast and Female is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young female athletes and committed to battling the factors that make girls six times more likely to drop out of sports than boys.

By hosting non-competitive programming across North-America led by inspiring female Olympians and other current and past elite athletes, Fast and Female strives to directly impact the retention of girls and indirectly improve the attraction of young women in sports.

As the Official Cold and Flu Remedy of the Canadian Olympic Team, COLD-FX helps reduce colds and flu by boosting the immune system – a major concern for competitive athletes and aspiring young Olympians.

“Having a strong immune system is a huge part of feeling empowered in sport,” said Chandra Crawford who has her sight on the 2011 World Championships and the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. “Being healthy is the number one thing an athlete needs in order to succeed and COLD-FX reinforces the importance of staying healthy with their product. I am excited to share the benefits of COLD-FX with those who support and participate in Fast and Female events,” she added.

Fast and Female day camps typically include an athletic component, a healthy lunch, an inspirational presentation by an ambassador, yoga and dancing.

Throughout 2011, Fast and Female will rely on COLD-FX’s support to host a dozen events across North America. In this process, Fast and Female will impact thousands of young female athletes as well as their parents and coaches. For the first time since its inception, Fast and Female programming will now extend beyond the sports of cross-country and biathlon to now also include alpine ski racing, cycling and triathlon.

“Fast and Female is a wonderful program that inspires promising female athletes and their families through a fun and educational program” says Dr. Jacqueline Shan, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Afexa Life Sciences. “COLD-FX has a rich heritage of use among athletes and Chandra’s program aligns perfectly with our pro-active approach to healthy living. She is truly an inspiration.”

Lit Cosmetics Partners with Fast and Female
As part of the in-kind sponsorship agreement, Lit Cosmetic will supply sample glitter products to be used during Fast and Female’s signature ice-breaker activity taking place at the beginning of each day camp. In addition, Lit Cosmetics will supply Lit Kits to be used as prize draws and fundraising auction items, as well as sell pink Lit Kits sets through Fast and Female’s online boutique, coming in December).

Effective now, Lit Cosmetics has also agreed to donate 50% to Fast and Female for all online purchases made at www.litcosmetics.com. To ensure that proceeds go back to the non-profit organization, clients simply need to type “Fast and Female” in the comment box at checkout.

“Being Fast and Female means celebrating your inner and outer beauty and strength,” said Chandra Crawford, Fast and Female Founder and President and 2006 Olympic gold medallist in Cross-Country Skiing. “Thanks to Lit Cosmetics, girls attending the Fast and Female days will be able to manifest their beauty with flair, fun and pizzazz. Hopefully, they’ll take this attitude home with them after our events and spread the love with their buddies. Ultimately, by creating an environment of fun around sports, we’ll be able to keep girls hooked on the active and healthy lifestyle,” concluded the full-time Olympic cross-country skier.

In 2011, Fast and Female will be hosting events across Canada and the United States, reaching thousands of female athletes between the ages of 9 to 19. All Fast and Female event programming will be led by female Olympians and elite role models as a means to empower, inspire, support, and motivate girls to stick to sports. Girls are six times more likely than boys to drop out of sports.

Featuring a variety of more than 300 colors, Lit glitter can be used on the eyes, face and body. Lit Cosmetics products are sold throughout Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

“A Lit, our motto is “No Glitter No Glory”,” said Jodie Perks, President and Founder of Lit Cosmetics. “I think this is very aligned with Fast and Female’s values and we are very excited to be working with this dynamic organization to help make a difference in the lives of young women!”

www.litcosmetics.com.

www.fastandfemale.com