Creativity for a cause

WINNIPEG, MB - While a cancer diagnosis is scary and intense for anyone, seeing kids manage a disease as big as cancer is especially difficult. This, combined with the phenomenal work of CancerCare Manitoba and CancerCare Manitoba Foundation (CCMF) to provide pediatric clinical trials right here in our province, makes it an easy decision for the Winnipeg Jets to choose to focus their annual Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC) campaign on pediatric cancer.

The 2018-19 HFC campaign, which will be the seventh for the Winnipeg Jets, takes place throughout the month of November. The funds benefit local kids and their families as they are dedicated to leading-edge treatments being available right here in Manitoba.
Through the generosity of Winnipeg Jets fans, funds raised have eased the battles of many pediatric cancer patients over the years, including this year's campaign ambassadors, Lily, 8; Nathanial, 15; Heidi, 10; and Caius, 3. As ambassadors, they now have the chance to help even more kids like them by raising awareness for childhood cancers and for the work of CCMF by sharing their stories.
Adding to the many ways that fans can help to fight cancer alongside the Jets and the NHL, the Jets wives and girlfriends (WAGs) got together, as they do each season, with the child ambassadors for an afternoon of creativity to kick off this year's campaign. While fun is also involved as the WAGs get to know the youngsters, they also have an important task for the afternoon: add their personality to a unique piece of pottery which will become part of the auction at the Nov. 29 HFC game.
It's a job that Tina Kompon, wife of assistant coach Jamie Kompon, takes very seriously.
"I tend to go overboard, but I love painting and crafts," she said while giving others tips and offering up her stencils. Kompon knows her piece represents some very important fundraising for CCMF.
"It's hard to see kids with (cancer) and wonder what they go through, because I've gone through it, and it sucks," said Kompon who also shared her battle with breast cancer as part of last year's campaign.
"To see the big smiles on their faces today, that's the fun part. I love how the NHL is so involved in the initiative."

Jennilie Perreault chose something extra special to paint for the auction this year, a mug which celebrates husband Matthieu's beard and is sure to be sought after by fans of #85.
"I'm a mom and I could not imagine (dealing with childhood cancer). So just for me to be able to help other people, why not take my time to give. They deserve it," she said.
The Brushfire event gives families a chance to meet each other before the big night, breaks the ice and helps the kids to feel more comfortable with, as well as look forward to, their moment in the spotlight.
"This event creates that sense of community and connects all the dots. Kids have more to look forward to when it's real," said Annitta Stenning, President & CEO of CCMF. "It's so wonderful to see the kids smiling and with their minds off of their treatments and discomforts."
The ambassadors will enjoy star treatment for the game, taking part in the evening's ceremonial puck drop and enjoying the game from a private suite with all the extras of snacks and swag, including their very own Jets jersey.
"They do so many great things in this organization, it's just fantastic," commended Mitch Maurice, Coach's wife, who was happy to be lending a hand to the efforts, and especially to one that touches the lives of so many. "Every team we've been with has been great, but there's a different feeling in Winnipeg," she said of both the club's involvement and the fan support.
You can only get in on the one-of-a-kind pottery items created by Kompon, Perreault, Maurice, Jacqueline Chiarot, Sam Wheeler, Emelie Kulikov, and Emily Byfuglien by being at the HFC Game on Nov. 29 -
winnipegjets.com/tickets
.
Throughout the coming weeks and leading up to the Jets' HFC Night on Nov. 29, stay tuned to
winnipegjets.com
to learn more about the journeys of this year's child ambassadors and why your support for HFC is so important to these kids and to others undergoing the difficult cancer journey at such a young age.
Fans can donate to the cause all month long at both Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose home games, where fundraising started on Nov. 2 and 3. Your next opportunities to get involved are on Nov. 8 at the Moose vs. Griffins matchup and on Nov. 9 at the Jets vs. Avalanche game.
For more information on the Jets' HFC campaign, visit
winnipegjets.com/hfc
.