CFL Calgary Stampeders

New Stampeders.com Video a Reminder of Purpose of PinkPower Program

Published on October 16, 2012 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Calgary Stampeders News Release


The proliferation of pink gear and sideline attire provides a lighthearted side to PinkPower but the Calgary Stampeders Football Club was recently reminded of the very serious underlying purpose of its annual program to support the battle against women's cancers and help raise awareness.

The Stampeders and Randy Chevrier, the team's player spokesman for PinkPower, received a visit from Heather Cooper, a very remarkable young woman. Heather is a 29-year-old breast cancer survivor who was anxious to tell her story in the hopes of emphasizing the importance of early detection and encouraging others in her situation to continue fighting.

Heather was so intent on telling her story that she came to McMahon Stadium even though earlier that day she had learned that she was again afflicted by cancer and would have to begin her battle all over again. See the video of Heather's inspiring conversation with Randy and her heartfelt plea to other women at Stampeders.com

"Sometimes we get all caught up with the pink thing and how much fun it is to be doing something different," said Chevrier. "But after speaking to Heather, you are quickly reminded what PinkPower is all about and why you got involved with the program in the first place. I am so inspired by Heather's courage and I am more determined than ever to do whatever I can to help beat this awful disease."

You can read more about Heather at her blog - http://28istooyoung.blogspot.com/

Heather will be a special guest of the Stampeders this Saturday as the team plays the PinkPower game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Kickoff is at 5 p.m.

PinkPower started as an initiative between the Canadian Cancer Society and the Calgary Stampeders in 2008. Since its inception, the program has become a successful league-wide campaign with all eight CFL teams involved in their own markets.

The goal for this year's PinkPower is to raise $50,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society and push the five-year total to more than $200,000.

Fans can get involved in a number of ways:

- Purchasing game tickets for the Oct. 20 game by visiting stampeders.com/promo and using the promotional code: GOPINK - $5 from each ticket sold will be donated directly to the Canadian Cancer Society

- Join the fight for life and donate directly at: http://www.fightforlife.ca/pinkpower

- On game day, look for members of the Canadian Cancer Society selling limited-edition PinkPower Calgary Stampeders gear including a scarf and two different toques. All merchandise is on sale for $20 per piece and the proceeds go directly to Canadian Cancer Society

- Follow Stampeders player Randy Chevier, the team spokesperson for PinkPower, on Twitter (@ChevySnaptime) for details about a special fundraising promotion

- After the game, visit the CFL auctions website for a chance to bid on one-of-a-kind, game-used balls and equipment

To help raise awareness, the Stampeders are using special pink avatars for their Twitter account and their Facebook page during the month of October. On Saturday, cancer survivors - including members from Boobs on Bikes and Sistership Dragon Boat Association - will be on the field holding a giant pink ribbon during the singing of the national anthem.

PinkPower was initiated by Peni Hufnagel - wife of Stamps general manager/head coach John Hufnagel - in 2008.

"With early detection, breast cancer is more than 90 per cent beatable," said Tiffany Kraus, marketing and communications manager for the Alberta/Northwest Territories branch of the Society, "and because of events like PinkPower, more people know to talk to their doctors. But much more than the statistics, beating cancer means not having to say goodbye to the women we love. That's what PinkPower is about."

This year, the Canadian Cancer Society is investing $2.7 million to support world-class breast cancer research projects across Canada, helping to better prevent, detect and treat patients. More than 23,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada.

This year, and one in nine women have a chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime.

Stampeders season tickets are on sale now for the 2013 season. For more information, visit Stampeders.com or call 403-289-0258 to speak with a customer service representative.

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Canadian Football League Stories from October 16, 2012


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