Bringing Breast Cancer awareness on the ice

By Casandra Turnbull

The U16A Paris Ringette team is not only sporting some new, stylish jerseys, but they’re also helping spread the word about breast cancer awareness October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the U16A team is joining the fight by wearing their new pink jerseys, crested with the breast cancer logo, in a show of solidarity and support for those fighting cancer, those who beat cancer and those who are no longer with as after a courageous battle with cancer. The idea developed ahead of the start of the ringette season when the U16A team gathered at the coach’s cottage this past summer for a meet and greet and team bonding day. At the end of the day, one of the players approached head coach Courtney Boehmer, and asked if they could purchase pink practice jerseys this year. The U16A team is one of

The U16A Paris is sporting custom designed pink jerseys the month of October in support of Breast Cancer awareness. Check out the team at a home game tomorrow at 5:30 pm at the Brant Sports Complex.

Paris Ringette Association’s competitive teams, and competitive sports can get quite expensive for families, so Boehmer tabled the idea, not wanting to add extra costs unless they were necessary With the season quickly approaching and an extra $500 put forward by one player’s parent, Boehmer held a team vote on how to best use the funds. It was an overwhelming vote to purchase pink jerseys and that’s when Boehmer decided, “If we’re going to do pink jerseys, let’s design them for breast cancer and also wear them to games in the month of October,” she shared in an email to the Paris Independent.

She added that not only are they showcasing their support for Breast Cancer awareness, but for cancer awareness in general. “A member of our bench staff and I have been touched in one way or another by breast cancer and cancer,” said Boehmer. And that unfortunately is a widespread statement.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Canada. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, this month, nearly 2,600 people in Canada will hear the words, “You have breast cancer.” ‘

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Research has showed rates of breast cancer among women in their 40s have increased significantly in the past five years Just this month, Ontario lowered the minimum age for regular breast cancer screening from 50 to 40. It is recommended that eligible residents between the ages of 40-74 are screened every two years.

You can catch the U16A team on home ice tomorrow, October 20th at 5:30 pm, sporting their new jerseys in a game against Guelph. They’ll wear the jerseys all month long, including a tournament in Oshawa October 25-27. Fittingly, the jerseys will travel with the team to London’s Pink the Rink tournament November 1-3rd . Boehmer wanted to send a shoutout to TKO Jersey Co for allowing the team’s vision of the custom jersey design to come to life.

Looking for a fun way to stay active this Fall? Check out the Drop-In Skate times happening now until March in Paris, Burford and St. George! Whether you're young, young-at-heart, or somewhere in between, they have a skate for everyone.

Visit brant.ca/Skates for a complete list of skates, times and locations.