Backlund talks charity work, ALS awareness in Q&A with NHL.com

In NHL.com's Q&A feature called "Sitting Down with …" we talk to key figures in the game, gaining insight into their lives on and off the ice. Today, we feature Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund and his charity work in Calgary.

Mikael Backlund has 292 assists in 15 seasons with the Calgary Flames since he was chosen in the first round (No. 24) of the 2007 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut Jan. 8, 2009.
It's an impressive number through his first 878 NHL games. More impressive are the assists he's given off the ice by helping several charities in Calgary.
"When I came over to Calgary, I saw how important charity work was for the team and the city and how much it meant to the organization," Backlund said. "I saw how the big players and stars had their own organizations that they worked with, and I felt that I wanted to do my thing."
Backlund has certainly done his thing, working with the ALS Society of Alberta, Kids Cancer Care, Parachutes for Pets: Lily's Legacy and Special Olympics Calgary.
For the ALS Society of Alberta, Backlund and his wife, Frida, have hosted families personally affected by the disease at Flames home games the past six seasons. In addition, he donates $250 for every point he scores to ALS research, which is matched by KPMG consulting agency and the Calgary Flames Foundation to total $750 a point.
For Kids Cancer Care, Backlund and Frida purchase 20 tickets to a Flames game to provide the opportunity for families to have a night out where for just a few hours they don't have to face their harsh reality.
Lily's Legacy is a new initiative for Mikael and Frida in honor of their dog Lily, who died from cancer. The initiative encourages people to buy gift baskets for kids and pets in need. Mikael makes monthly donations to ensure the program has the resources it needs.
For Special Olympics, Mikael and Frida purchase a 32-person Super Suite that allows members of Special Olympics Calgary to attend a Flames game. The visit always includes a postgame meeting with Backlund to get photos, autographs, and spend some time together.
"I think it was in the summer of 2011 that I contacted those who work with charity within the organization and said that I wanted to start working with an organization and then they had many different ones to choose from," Mikael said. "So I started with the Special Olympics and a group that helped children with cancer and it led to me working with Kids Cancer Care in Alberta."
Backlund discussed getting involved, the impact of Hockey Hall of Famer Borje Salming's death from ALS and more in a Q&A with NHL.com.
How did you get involved with ALS Alberta?
"ALS has not received much attention over the years. I had no knowledge of the disease before I met my wife, Frida, whose mom passed away from ALS, so she had to explain it to me, and I have met many people over the years who don't know about ALS where you need to explain what kind of disease it is."
How did the ALS diagnosis and death of Sweden-born defenseman Borje Salming impact awareness of the disease?
"It's tragic that it happened to Borje and that he would have to go through it. It raised awareness about the disease in Sweden when such a great and well-liked person got it. I think ALS needs more attention in Sweden. Frida told me about their experience and the help they received from the Swedish healthcare system, and she felt that it was not enough at all. It's been a few years since then, and I hope things have progressed when it comes to things like assistance."
What does the ALS Society of Alberta do?
"The organization we support does a very good job when it comes to assistance. They do not work with the state, instead they have purchased all the products that may be needed themselves. For example, the computer that helps you communicate through your eyes when you can no longer speak. They make sure you get it on time and can teach you how to use it while you can still talk and then when you lose the ability to speak, you can use it instead of getting the computer when your speech is already gone. They make sure that all aids come out on time, and then it goes on to the next person, which I think is great. It gives the affected families the security of knowing that they can get help in time to make things a little easier as there is no cure for the disease.
Tell us about Parachutes for Pets.
"A year before our dog, Lily, passed away, I heard about the organization via social media that they help the homeless and their pets. It can be about helping with food, veterinary costs or making sure they get a roof over their heads. There are many shelters that do not accept dogs, so they saw that there was an opportunity to help. After our dog passed away from cancer, they got in touch and said they wanted to start a program in her name. Every Easter they sell Easter baskets with stuff from different local businesses, and we contribute some Flames gear and all the proceeds from that goes to Lily's Legacy. That program helps children who are in a tough spot and who have animals and make sure they get help with food costs, vet costs or make sure they get to take the animal with them to the next host family."