St. Ignace Pond Hockey Team Raising Money for Hospital Oncology Department

Dean O'Brien of St. Ignace and his teammates will get together in two weeks, skate out onto the ice of Moran Bay, and take on all challengers in the U.P. Pond Hockey Tournament. The difference in their appearance this year is that they will be wearing bright pink jerseys.

Mr. O'Brien's team, named "Cancer Sucks," will use the popular St. Ignace winter event to raise money for the oncology department at Mackinac Straits Hospital.

"We thought it would be a neat idea," he said. "We're trying to have a little bit of fun with it, but help out the hospital, too."

The "Hooping for a Cure" basketball game, where Cedarville and St. Ignace faced off in pink jerseys to raise money for the oncology department, was fresh in his mind at last year's pond hockey tournament, Mr. O'Brien said, and it got him thinking that he could do something to help cancer patients, as well.

"We just got together and decided that is what we would do," he said. "I just want to help the community out as much as I can."

Other team members who will don the pink jerseys during the U.P. Pond Hockey Tournament February 19 through February 21 include Mike North, Lon Williams, Thomas Pavia, Joe Lenoir, and Andy Wapnezki.

Local businesses and individuals have already donated about $1,000 to the team's fundraiser, Mr. O'Brien said. Some have pledged a specific amount of money for each goal he team scores and some have donated a flat amount.

His son, Nick, will skate around the open rink at the tournament wearing a pink jersey and a donation bucket around his neck.

Ed Smith, the physician who heads the oncology department at Mackinac Straits Hospital, said the money the team raises will go toward the purchase of a blanket warmer, which improves comfort for patients receiving chemotherapy at the hospital.

"We are just overwhelmed that someone would take the initiative to help us out like that," Dr. Smith said. "It is just one of those unexpected acts of generosity that a lot of people will appreciate. It's an extremely commendable thing."

The fundraising has even attracted donations from outside the area, one from an old high school friend, Sandy Scesny-Stefan of Los Angeles, who has two sisters who are breast cancer survivors, Mr. O'Brien said.

"She was just ecstatic that I was doing it and just wanted to send something to help," he said. "I thought that was pretty neat, her helping out all the way from L.A. I just think it's awesome that this has spread out like it has."

Mr. O'Brien, who is laid off from seasonal work at the Mackinac Bridge, said he is glad to use his free time on the fundraiser.

"Why not get busy and do this? I thought."

Donations may be made to Mr. O'Brien at 643-1010. He said all those who donate will be included

a thank-you advertisement in the issue of The St. Ignace News after the hockey tournament.

"If people are willing to give us a dime a goal, we are willing to take that," he said. "Anything we can get

help out the hospital."

Another oncology department fundraiser, the "Hooping for a Cure," basketball game, is planned

continue this year. The St. Ignace Saints will take on the Cheboygan Chiefs at LaSalle High School in St. Ignace Thursday, February 25.