Trevor Harris hopes the day will come when a program such as Cameco Riders Touchdown for Dreams, despite all it offers, is not necessary.
“If we could find a cure for cancer,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterback said, “that would be amazing.”
The same description applies to 88 Saskatchewan women whose wishes have been granted since Touchdown for Dreams was launched 13 years ago.
Earlier this year, the eight 2024 recipients — who are to be honoured during Saturday’s home game against the B.C. Lions — were selected.
Touchdown for Dreams benefits Saskatchewan women who are facing a life-threatening cancer diagnosis.
“I think everybody has been touched in a negative way by cancer to some degree, but that means that you can touch others in a positive way,” said Harris, the Roughriders’ Touchdown for Dreams player ambassador. “You share your story and do the things you can to help.
“There’s obviously my mom and I’ve had quite a few people in my family who have had cancer, like my sister-in-law and my grandpa.
“Hearing people’s stories is always inspiring. It inspires you to fight through. If you have a little nicked-up body part here and there, it’s like, ‘I can fight through this. They’re fighting too.’
“You can kind of gather strength from one another.”
Roughriders Head Coach Corey Mace called all eight of the 2024 recipients in March after they were chosen from a lengthy list of applicants.
Sadly, one of the women was only 21 when she passed away in early September.
The other seven recipients are to attend Saturday’s Pink Game, which is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
Fans are invited to purchase pink mittens, which will be sold for $20 at the gate by Cameco employee volunteers to allow future dreams to come true.
The latest list of dreams ranges from family vacations to a fishing trip to new furniture to backyard upgrades.
Cameco Riders Touchdown for Dreams is a partnership between the Roughriders, Cameco and the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.
For more information, visit Cameco’s Website
