Skip to content

Cancer fundraiser bigger than ever

The BS to Cancer fundraiser, held in Ponoka on June 14, is in its third year and gaining more and more community support
45475ponokaHaircuts061814
Carter Karwandy gets his head shaved during the BS to Cancer barbeque and ball hockey fundraising tournament

The BS to Cancer fundraiser, held in Ponoka on June 14, is in its third year and gaining more and more community support with each annual event.

Organizer Craig Sorensen put together the event three years ago after his father was diagnosed with cancer. “When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I can go ‘oh that’s a way to help out.’”

This year 12 heads were shaved and 10 ball hockey teams entered the tournament to raise approximately $4,000.

Bob Sorenson was a local volunteer firefighter for 21 years and it was the breathing in the toxic smoke for more than two decades that caused the cancer.

At his request, the money raised each year is donated to different charities and this year the Albert Cancer Society and Ponoka Family and Community Support Services were on the receiving end

This year, the Nisku volunteer fire department entered a team in the tournament, as did the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brian Injury and the Town of Ponoka.

“We have more people in town coming,” Sorensen explained, stating the first two years hosted mostly friends and family teams, rather than organized groups within the community, showing their support.

This year also marked the first skills challenge, held to break  up the tournament and provide more entertainment. “They get quite competitive in that,” said Sorensen.

For those who want to get involved next year, they’re encouraged to keep a look out for flyers put up by Sorensen or Contact Rip’N’Ronnies.