My One Thing to Reduce Cancer Risk Display Board

At their last home game in October, the Prince George Spruce Kings helped to raise the awareness of women’s health issues by wearing pink to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The players laced up their skates with bright pink laces and put pink tape on their sticks as well.

The local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society was in attendance with promotions and information for the fans. The message this year is recognizing the importance of making one lifestyle change that will reduce cancer risk.

Cancer is a growing concern but strides have been made in identifying contributing factors, early detection and treatment. The game’s honouree was Katy Luedtke, a seven year breast cancer survivor and step mom to Spruce Kings forward Jeremiah Luedtke.

Prior to the game Jeremiah and Seb Lloyd of the West Kelowna Warriors were identified as their team’s honourary captains to take part in the ceremonial puck drop. It was an emotional moment for everyone in attendance as the usual handshake afterwards was replaced by a hug between a mother and her son.

Katy’s story is an amazing one of discovery and the road through recovery to where she is today - being a spokesperson for the disease that touched her. Not just in words alone either, Katy leads by example and has gone on three 60 mile walks where she has raised over $20,000 and the team she walks with has raised over $650,000 for cancer research.

While the focus of the night was on everybody's "one thing" to reduce cancer risk, the Prince George Spruce Kings also held a small raffle. Up for grabs was a pink stick with all the proceeds going to the local Canadian Cancer Society.

Fans in attendance were reminded throughout the evening of the importance of finding the one thing they could do and were encouraged to fill in their one thing on a post-it note. Those notes were then stuck on a special board to be displayed for everybody to see.

The Spruce Kings and the Canadian Cancer Society would like to thank all the fans that made this evening a memorable and successful one.