The Carlton Crusaders girls’ basketball team is looking for the community’s help as it looks to raise as much money as it can to help the Victoria Hospital Foundation fight cancer.
According to a press release issued by the Victoria Hospital Foundation, for the second year in a row, people living with and fighting cancer in the community will be receiving help from a high school — in this case, the Carlton Crushes Cancer fundraising game.
This year’s contest, named “Home is Where the Heart is” is being hosted by Carlton on Jan. 23 as they take on the Melfort Comets.
“The Carlton Community has been busy fundraising in an effort to raise funds for the purchase of palliative medical equipment so patients living in Prince Albert can fight cancer form home and live in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible,” the Victoria Hospital Foundation wrote.
That equipment includes pain pumps, beds, ceiling lifts and monitors.
Last year’s event, which took at place at St. Mary and saw the Marauders host the Crusaders, raised almost $100,000, thanks in part to a pledge from local philanthropist Malcolm Jenkins to match the first $25,000 raised for the cause.
He’s agreed to do so again.
“We are beyond grateful to be the recipient once again of this passionate fundraiser led by the girls’ basketball players in our community,” Sherry Buckler, hospital foundation CEO said in a press release.
“Funds raised through ticket sales, sponsorship and t-shirt sales will make an immediate and meaningful impact on people in our community-fighting cancer. To see the youth in our community demonstrate such compassion and goodwill is inspiring.”
The campaign got a boost Wednesday.
The Prince Albert Kinsmen donated $2,500 to the cause. Carlton Comprehensive High School teacher Brad Amy — who is also a member of the Kinsmen — was on hand to help deliver the donation.
They’re the latest group to donate. Other donations have come from local businesses and from the Northern Lights Community Development Corporation, which contributed $5,000.
The game has become a Saskatchewan tradition. Two years ago the North Battleford Vikings hosted a fundraising game against the St. Mary Marauders. St. Mary hosted last year, playing Carlton. The Vikings bought the jerseys for the Pink Game.
St. Mary paid it forward again, agreeing to buy the jerseys that will be used by Carlton and Melfort in this year’s game.
“This is the first time that I’ve been involved in an evening like this and I think it’s fantastic to see everyone coming together to help out our community,” Crusaders coach Kelsey Pearson said last year.
“My dad (Richard Rink) is the longtime coach at Wynyard and they were one of the first teams to be involved in the game, so he gave me a really good idea of everything that’s involved with it and what to expect.”
The funds from last year’s game, which included a silent auction and a halftime performance from local dance studios, went towards purchasing Continuous Ambulatory Delivery Device (CADD) pumps that help cancer patients receive medication during their treatments.
This year’s game is set for Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. at Carlton.
Tickets are $5 per person. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for any donation over $20.
To donate to the cause, visit www.helpthevic.ca.
