YARMOUTH, N.S. – There was a new jersey on the ice at the Yarmouth Mariners’ game on Nov. 3 – last name Dennis, first name Sandy, but feel free to also insert the names grace, courage and inspiration as well.
A #10 Pink in the Rink jersey was presented to Yarmouth resident and town councillor Sandy Dennis prior to Mariners home game. It is a fitting tribute because when it comes to her community, Dennis is a devoted team player.
Dennis is living with terminal cancer. To have the support she has shown to her community throughout the years extended back to her was both meaningful and emotional – as is the significance of the jersey itself.
Each October the Yarmouth Mariners Jr. A hockey team launches its Pink in the Rink initiative.
During homes games in October, which this year also included the Nov. 3 game, the Mariners players wear custom pink jerseys to not just raise awareness about the importance of cancer research but also to raise funds to help with the treatment and care of cancer patients.
The jerseys are being auctioned off with all proceeds from this fundraiser supporting the Dr. Edwin Janke Cancer Care Centre at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
This year, thanks to a generous contribution from Gil Dares, general manager of the Mariners Centre, donations have been collected on a #10 jersey sporting Sandy Dennis’s name in support of the cancer centre.
As of 12 p.m. on Nov. 4, the jersey sporting Dennis’s name had collected $1,156 in donations that will go to the cancer centre.
Overall, the donations raised by this jersey and the bidding on the player jerseys, amounted to $7,021.
Bidding on the jerseys ends at 12 p.m. on Nov. 5. To make a bid or a donation, send a text to 902-740-3791. You can see the updated tallies on the Mariners Pink in the Rink Facebook page.
Upon being presented with the jersey prior to the Mariners Nov. 3 game versus Miramichi (which the Mariners won 7-3), Dennis thanked Gil Dares, the Mariners team and everyone who has supported this fundraiser and/or have supported her personally as well.
Noting how extensive the reach of cancer is, she encouraged people to show their support for the cancer centre.
“We want to keep what we have in Yarmouth, the Dr. Janke cancer unit, so if you can help support that and any other things that help with cancer that would be greatly appreciated,” she said.
While battling cancer, Dennis has been a strong advocate in an effort to try and have radiation services available at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital to help lessen the financial, emotional and physical burden to cancer patients who have to travel to Halifax to access this treatment.
She has also been making homemade cards that have been sold to raise money for the Gilles Boudreau and Friends Cancer Care Fund, which also provides support and assistance to cancer patients.
As for the Mariners’ Pink in the Rink initiative, it has been a successful fundraiser through the years. Last year a cheque in the amount of $9,129.40 was presented to the Dr. Edwin Janke Cancer Centre. The donation was used by the cancer centre to purchase a portable ultrasound machine, which the centre did not have. The year before that $7,338 was donated to the cancer centre.
