By Devin Heroux
On what would have been her 66th birthday, Dec. 16, The Curling Group is making a significant announcement to honour and celebrate the life and legacy of Colleen Jones.
In partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society, The Curling Group announced Tuesday that at every Grand Slam of Curling event, beginning at the HearingLife Canadian Open in Saskatoon this week, fundraising initiatives going towards groundbreaking cancer research initiatives will be raised in Colleen Jones’s name.
You can donate by clicking here.
Jones captured the hearts and minds of Canadians throughout her illustrious curling and broadcasting careers. Her energetic, authentic and captivating style on the ice and in front of the camera made her a beloved national icon.
Her death sent a shockwave across the country and beyond — and in the wake of her passing, hundreds of stories have come pouring in and continue to circulate about her kindness, generosity, and zest for life.
Colleen’s son Luke Saunders came to Saskatoon to help launch this initiative.
“Cancer is terrible. Colleen was the pinnacle of health before her diagnosis, she fought as hard as she could, but it’s up to us to gather the pieces and figure out solutions,” Saunders said.
“Awareness must be spread; prevention is the key. Colleen’s cancer was detected late, but she had great therapies and programs available to her. It’s hard to think Mom is not here on her 66th birthday but feeling the support of the curling community and the country helps. Kudos to the Grand Slam of Curling, all their partners and the Canadian Cancer Society for looking the disease square in the face. This is just the beginning, fight cancer, band together and spread awareness.”
The Curling Group’s CEO and co-founder, Nic Sulsky, says Jones will not be forgotten and that the organization will do everything it can to keep her fighting spirit and passion for curling alive through these fundraising initiatives.
“Colleen’s impact on curling extended far beyond the ice, and we are honoured to help carry that legacy forward through this new partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society,” said Sulsky, who is also a cancer survivor.
“Colleen gave so much to the curling community, and we hope fans will join us in celebrating her life by giving back in a meaningful way that reflects her optimism, her warmth, and her fiery spirit.”
The Canadian Cancer Society says it will continue to work tirelessly to raise funds for life-saving treatments and research — and is grateful to the family of Colleen for their support of the cancer cause and all those impacted.
“We are grateful to Colleen's family for choosing to honour her memory through fundraising. Your support allows the Canadian Cancer Society to accelerate innovative and impactful colorectal cancer research that will help transform the future of cancer,” said Kelly MacNaull, Senior Manager, New Business Development & Sports Alliances.
“Though patient outcomes have been improving, colorectal cancer is still the second-leading cause of cancer-related death among Canadians.”
Photo Credit: Anil Mungal/The Curling News
