CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY

The Stampeders are proud to team up with the Canadian Cancer Society to help raise awareness for the organization's cause and to raise money for cancer research.

In September of 2009, the Stampeders auctioned off a game-worn Henry Burris retro jersey, an autographed game-worn helmet and a game-used football, with all proceeds going to prostate cancer research.

The following month marked the second annual PinkPower initiative in the fight against breast cancer. The campaign includes the sale of 800 autographed pink hats and 1,000 pink toques. The headwear was available on Oct. 17 when the Stamps took the field against Saskatchewan. With the help of Stamps players’ and coaches’ wives and girlfriends and Canadian Cancer Society volunteers, the limited-edition hats and toques were available at entrance gates for a minimum donation of $20, with all proceeds went directly to the Canadian Cancer Society. A total of $36,000 was raised through the 2009 program.

Conceived in 2008 by Penny Hufnagel — wife of Stamps general manager/head coach John Hufnagel — PinkPower saw 500 special-edition pink caps sold at the Oct. 18 game against Winnipeg.

Wes Lysack, the Stamps’ spokeperson for the Canadian Cancer Society for the past two seasons, is an integral part of the campaign that is near to the hard-hitting defender's heart. Lysack’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and his paternal grandmother passed away from the disease when he was 10 years old.

“This is obviously a cause that is close to me and my family and I’m glad that I’m able to support PinkPower for the second season,” said Lysack. “I’ve always known that I wanted to give back to this cause and I’m proud to be associated with the Canadian Cancer Society and their initiatives to raise money and awareness for this fight.”

The seven-year veteran of the Canadian Football League also launched Lysack’s Corner this season — a special block of seats dedicated to people fighting cancer and their caregivers for each Stamps home game.

>> Click for more information on the Canadian Cancer Society
>> For information on Lysack’s Corner, call 1-800-661-2262