Thank you Midget Vics

On behalf of the Lumsden Lions Midget AA team, we would like to extend a big thank you to the Regina Vic’s AA team of Hockey Regina!

Early in January, their coaching staff was contacted about a fundraising initiative our team had begun.  We had just found out that a member of our Lumsden Bethune Minor Hockey family  was battling brain cancer.  Joel Bachman, at the tender age of 6, was diagnosed with a brain tumour, after suddenly experiencing painful headaches.  The surgery to the remove the tumour was successful, however a biopsy revealed it was medulloblastoma, which is a very aggressive malignant tumour.  Joel now needs to attend the hospital in Saskatoon for a week every month until June for treatment, which involves radiation and chemotherapy.  In an effort to help this family out, our Lions team along with the Lumsden Bethune Minor Hockey board, rose to the challenge of  raising some money to help this family out.  We advertised the game against the Vics, and challenged the Lumsden/Bethune area and their Minor Hockey players to “Pack the Rink” on Janurary 11.

Leading up to the game,  we contacted the coaching staff to see if they would support purchasing and  wearing the “Never Give Up #5” stickers designed for Joel and if they would be okay with delaying the game for an extra 10 minutes to accommodate a brief ceremony that we had planned. Without any hesitation they said they would support us however we needed and that they would be on board for anything! The boys all wore the stickers and as a group of parents, players and coaching staff, the Regina Vics came up with a donation from their team to Joel for $330.00!  This came from the proceeds they had earned from their previous home game door admissions, as well as their 50/50 proceeds. The parent who won the 50/50 donated it back in its entirety to Joel as well.

Thank you Regina Vics!  The coaching staff of Todd Jerome, Denis Carignan, Scott Gherasim, all the players, parents and fans, you truly went above and beyond!  That night reminded us that we are all one big hockey family!  Joel was definitely the winner that night!  While he wasn’t able to attend, due to his first appointment for treatment, he was watching via Facetime, and was very grateful!   In all, we raised approximately $10,000 that night, including the Vic’s donation. 

Anyone else interested in donating to Joel, a go fund me page has been set up at the following link: https://de.gofund.me/nevergiveupJoel&rcid=6e231c2ecb0f40a0a456c8790286d522.