Cancer can be hard on anyone, yet it can be most devastating on children.
That is where the basketball officials in the region are hoping to make a difference by blowing the whistle and calling a foul on pediatric cancers through a fundraising campaign.
Called “Go Gold!”, members of the Central Alberta Basketball Officials Association (CABOA) are being asked to donate a minimum amount of $25, as well as being challenged by the association’s executive to donation one game fee with all of the proceeds going to the Kids for Cancer Society. Officials are also encouraged to accept any donations schools and other may want to make.
“So many people associate pink with breast cancer and we wanted to show something that was a bit unique,” said Josh Carothers, CABOA president.
“What we do as basketball officials help kids and it’s been in the back of our minds about what more we can do to benefit kids. It even includes those officials that work at the college and university levels, since those young adults at those levels are at risk of pediatric cancer.”
That idea is what helped launch the fundraiser last year, where the group raised almost $1,330.
According to CABOA vice president Joanna Wiegers, participation is voluntary and the fundraiser runs through the month of February with officials sporting a gold lanyard and gold-coloured whistle during their games that month.
She added along with the officials, the association will also take donations from schools and individuals.
“It was neat to see last year that a lot of schools and people came up to the officials to offer donations to the cause,” said Wiegers.
One donation in particular from last year stood out in their minds as a team from an area high school as if they could do something as well, as the cause hit home for them with a girl they played with had been dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
“Three years ago, I lost a niece to a childhood cancer and so the thought in running with this idea was to do something different. So, all of the proceeds are going to fight cancer in kids and also it is hoped this will help spread awareness,” stated Carothers.
For those interested in making a donation, there are a couple of ways to do so.
First is talk to a basketball official in the area to inquire on the way to donate and the other is to contact the association via email at refcentralhoops@gmail.com to make arrangements.