ROB VANSTONE: “Two thumbs up” for Cameco Touchdown for Dreams and my new friend, Liz

The following quote from Trevor Harris was destined to make it into this column from the moment the words were spoken.

Asked on Friday about the Cameco Touchdown for Dreams program, which honours women who are battling a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ starting quarterback said: “No matter how much I would try and give of my time and effort with conversations or whatever it may be, you’re never going to touch what they can give you in terms of perspective and in terms of their fight.”

A few hours later, upon meeting Liz Roper, I knew exactly what Harris meant.

Liz was seated three chairs to my right during a Friday night dinner at the Hotel Saskatchewan.

Early in the proceedings, she was called to the front of the room to receive a customized green, white and pink Roughriders jersey — presented to her by Harris, Craig Reynolds (President-CEO), Jeremy O’Day (Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager) and Corey Mace (Head Coach).

Liz was beaming as she held the jersey to her chest and exclaimed: “Oh my God … it’s beautiful!”

There were comparably emotional reactions and interactions when Laura Lehne, Cynthia Styan, Amanda Minchin, Jean Harrington and family members of Angie Kater had their pictures taken with Harris, Reynolds, O’Day and Mace.

Afterwards, Liz and her daughter, Yolanda, struck up a conversation with Roughriders Partner Success Manager Channing Masuhara, who was seated to my immediate right.

Liz, who is from Saskatoon, mentioned that she was about to attend her first Roughriders game — Saturday’s matchup with the visiting B.C. Lions.

“I want to make memories,” she said with a smile.

As part of the Touchdown for Dreams program, each recipient has a wish granted. Liz’s immediate response: “Furniture.”

The comforts of home are a Joy to Liz, who is enjoying a new fireplace, recliner, couch, sofa bed and coffee table. Two new lamps provide illumination.

“I’m not a travelling person,” she said. “I don’t go on exotic trips. I’ve always been a relaxed person who takes things day-to-day.”

The small blessings in life assume a larger degree of importance when you are fighting cancer and, in Liz’s case, a residential school survivor.

“All my life, I had been in survival mode all the time,” she said. “The last 10 years, I’ve learned how to relax.”

That philosophy has served her well as she faces formidable health challenges.

Looking at her, listening to her, you would never guess that she is in a fight for her life.

Her omnipresent smile widened when Coach Mace dropped by the table and had just one request: “Scream your tail off.”

Harris paid a visit a few minutes later.

“I just want to say hi and thank you for chatting with us,” he said. “Enjoy your night and your meal. God bless.”

Earlier in the day, Harris had discussed how Touchdown for Dreams resonates with him.

“It’s obviously something close to me,” the 39-year-old son of Tom and Suzanne Harris said. “I think everybody in this world has probably been touched in a negative way by cancer. My mom’s a survivor. My wife’s sister is a breast cancer survivor, so it’s one of those things that means something to you.

“A lot of times you go there to try to brighten their day or they’re excited to meet you, but you always end up drawing more from these people.

“Forget about a football fight. Forget about fighting for playoff positioning. They’re fighting for their life, and that’s a different perspective.

“When you can kind of just draw yourself back from this life we’re in (as football players) and putting so much into this and realize what these people are growing through, man, they’re just so inspiring to be around.

“It’s a privilege that I get to be involved in that.”

It was my privilege to sit down beside Liz, ostensibly for an interview, and get to know her.

We chatted for the better part of an hour, but I barely filled one page with her quotes.

For the most part, we chatted about anything and everything — a mutual love of reading and decades-old TV shows, our families, beloved pets … you name it.

More than anything, we laughed.

Liz had a funny take on, well, everything.

“I like socializing, by the way,” she said with a wink. “I love people.”

At an event that was ostensibly held to cheer up the Touchdown for Dreams guests of honour, Liz and the others who face a cancer struggle lifted the spirits of everyone else in attendance.

“You leave it feeling really good for everybody,” Mace said. “It’s really cool for the recipients and their families to be able to take this in and have a night of celebration.

“I know most days are probably pretty tough. If we can just alleviate that a little bit and bring some joy and some smiles to them and their families, that’s a no-brainer for me.

“I’ll be a part of that anytime.”

Touchdown for Dreams was founded in 2011 as part of the CFL’s pink initiative. The following year, the Roughriders formed what has been a lasting alliance with Cameco.

All these years later, the all-time total of pink jerseys distributed stands at 88 … and counting.

“What a great initiative,” Mace said, “and Cameco has been outstanding, partnering with the team.

“Two thumbs up for everybody who is involved.”