Going beyond expectations

Times Reporter

 

What began as an idea for a 12-hour fundraising ringette tournament quickly turned into a day filled with activities. Jill Kathol organized Ringers for a Reason, which took place on Dec. 18 in honour of Dwayne Marshman who is currently battling cancer.

“We have a ringette association and teams of all ages because of him, and for some of us, he’s coached us our whole lives,” said Jill Kathol, event organizer.   

“We just thought, what a great way to show him our support.”

Kathol said as the community began to hear about what was happening, the event grew larger, becoming a 24-hour event. 

“Dwayne is a really big community person. He has his hands in everything around town from the arena to the hall. It was endless, the support we got,” said Kathol. 

There was a head shaving during the day, and a Santa skate. In the evening there was a dinner and silent auction. Jaydee Bixby and local talent performed for the crowd of people.

Rockyford partnered with the Calgary Health Trust. The funds raised will be going towards patient comfort care at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre at the Foothills hospital. 

“We haven’t decided exactly because we raised more money than we had planned on so we have to pick a few more things to fund. But it’s mostly for patient comfort care at the Tom Baker,” said Marshman.  

A large portion of the funds raised will be going to Unit 57, which is the stem cell bone marrow transplant program. The rest will be split between other areas such as the hostel, said Marshman.

Travelling from Rockyford to Calgary for his treatments can often be taxing,  and there are times he will stay at the hostel at the Foothills hospital. He said some people have to be there every day for radiation and will stay in the hostel. Marshman said a lot of rural residents stay in the hostel because often it’s too far of a drive to go back and forth every day.  

“Patient comfort care is anytime you have to stay in the hospital whether you’re rural or from the city, it affects you,” said Marshman.  

Because he knows first hand the amount of time treatment can keep one away from their family, Kathol said Marshman decided an iPad project would be a great way to keep families connected.

“We decided we wanted to fund an iPad project that they have been wanting to start there for awhile,” said Kathol.

“What it does, is it connects patients that are receiving cancer treatment with their families while they are in the hospital.”

The day far surpassed everyone’s expectations, turning out to be an even bigger success than they had hoped for. 

“We don’t have a final number of what we raised throughout the day yet, we’re still working on that but we know that we’ve at least reached $50,000,” said Kathol. 

Marshman wasn’t well enough to coach this year, but hopes to return to it next year.