U-13 Saskatoon Comets host breast cancer awareness game

The under-13 AA Saskatoon Comet Fury hosted a breast cancer awareness game Saturday afternoon at Merlis Belsher Place.

Fury Head coach Laura Schaefer said the main goal of Saturday’s game was to ensure that no one has to go through breast cancer alone.

“Our goal is to raise awareness for prevention, promotion of screening, and also to really support those with breast cancer,” said Schaefer. “I think our awareness goes beyond raising awareness for the disease, but also how we can support our community.”

To raise money during Saturday’s game the Fury planned to have a 50/50 as well a raffle table and draw.

All the money raised during the game will be donated.

“We were planning to donate to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency,” said Schaefer.

Schaefer is a pelvic health physical therapist and said breast cancer is near and dear to her heart.

“I’m involved in working with clients and supporting those undergoing current treatments of breast cancer and also survivors of breast cancer,” said Schaefer.

“(There are) a few agencies I work with, number one is Empower (which) is a group in Saskatchewan.., as a non-profit organization that supports women in the community with breast cancer.”

Schaefer said Empower is an agency that they can potentially support as well as Tracy Gardikiotis out of the Pasqua Hospital.

“Tracy Gardikiotis is a rehab specialist and she’s got a.., breast cancer rehab team out of Pasqua hospital,” said Schaefer. “Reaching out to her to potentially support any initiatives that she has going on.”

Schaefer said she sat down with Steph Furgeson the head coach of the Under-13 AA Comet Hurricanes over the summer to talk about what they could do and how they could play a role in different initiatives.

Listen to Behind the Headlines: Saskatoon Comet Fury raise funds for breast cancer

“This was one initiative in terms of raising awareness for breast cancer that we wanted to do our part,” said Schaefer.

The Fury donned brand new pink jerseys and Fury forward Teigan Goller said wearing pink is important to her.

“(There are) eight people in my family, knowing that one of us might end up with breast cancer is really horrible,” said Goller. “I really support the people that have breast cancer and I hope they can get through it.”

Goller said she has a personal connection with breast cancer and that makes this event so much more important to her.

“My mom’s best friend died from cancer and it was super hard on her kids because they don’t (get to) grow up with a mom,” said Goller. “My mom’s other friend survived cancer and she was sharing her story with everybody and she was just reminding us to enjoy life every day.”

Before the game started, the Fury honoured Shannon Martin, a breast cancer survivor.

Martin said what the Fury were doing was fantastic and meant a lot to her.

“I’m a five-year breast cancer survivor,” said Martin. “Being able to have research that saved me with treatments and being able to come watch my niece play — both of my nieces—  are why my heart beats.”

In 2018 Martin found a lump in her right breast and had surgery to follow that for her lateral mastectomy.

“I had six chemotherapy treatments, 25 radiation treatments and I was off work for a year, and now I’m back and better than ever,” said Martin. “Research is what saves lives and I’m living proof of that.”

Krispin Zaleschuk, Commissioner of Comets Hockey said this type of event helps people focus on the struggles others may have to go through.

“This type of night shifts the focus from the athletes and the game and the sport to a cause that’s a little bit more important,” said Zaleschuk. “It brings focus to a cause that affects so many young women.”