The Collingwood Blues junior hockey club will face off on Feb. 21 against the Oakville Blades in a special game that coincides with their Hockey Battles Cancer event.
The third annual event returns to the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena at the end of this month, and event chair Kathy Jeffery continues to champion the cause.
The event is personal for Jeffery, who lost her brother Steve at 51 years old due to pancreatic cancer.
“Cancer touches each and every one of us – for me there are so many – but it was the loss of my youngest brother...that brought home the need for better supports,” said Jeffery, who cared for her brother in her home so he could die at home peacefully, surrounded by family.
“I found a supplier of the chemotherapy care gift totes online searching one day. It seemed like the perfect way for the Collingwood Blues to give back,” she said.
While the inaugural event was chaired by Cliff and Terri Hollinshead, Jeffery took up the charge for year two and three with marching orders to come up with a way that local funds stayed local for cancer patients without the burden of administration costs.
Last year, the event raised $31,300, up from $21,000 raised at the inaugural event.
“Fingers crossed that we continue the upward trend to benefit our local cancer patients,” she said.
The proceeds will go toward the purchase of 40 chemotherapy care gift totes for distribution to local cancer patients. The totes come packed with comfort items like a blanket, warm socks, an eye mask and a neck pillow, with some entertainment items like a colouring book and markers, hygiene items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, Kleenex, eye care and hand sanitizer, and also some other useful things like device chargers, skin care items, ginger chews and earbuds.
If there are any funds remaining, they’ll be evenly distributed between the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital for diagnostic imaging equipment and Hospice Georgian Triangle for respite care.
Of last year’s 42 totes, Jeffery said there are only five remaining.
Funds will be raised through the Kinsmen Club of Collingwood’s chuck-a-puck event, the Optimist Club’s 50/50 draw, corporate sponsorships, tote sponsorships and personal donations.
A silent auction and online auction start up Feb. 14, with items displayed in the Founder’s Lounge during home games on Feb. 14, 17 and 21.
Items up for grabs include gift certificates for local services and events such as Boots and Hearts, Hockey Hall of Fame (Toronto) passes, an autographed hockey stick by the Collingwood Blues Centennial Cup national champions, a framed and autographed Collingwood Blues Centennial Cup national champion jersey and golf foursomes for 18 holes with a cart from a few local golf courses.
“As defending national champions (Centennial Cup) and two-time OJHL Buckland Cup champions, the Collingwood Blues are equally committed to making a profound difference in our community,” said Jeffery. “We are very proud of our on-ice performance and similarly as proud of our organization as champions off-ice in the community and with our charitable actions.”