RE/MAX PRESENTS: WHL SUITS UP WITH DON CHERRY TO PROMOTE ORGAN DONATION SURPASSES $460,000 RAISED
Red Deer, Alta. – The Western Hockey League and RE/MAX of Western Canada are proud to announce that over $460,000 has been raised through two seasons of the ‘RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation’ campaign.
Beginning Saturday, January 19 through Saturday, March 9, 2019, the WHL’s 17 Canadian member Clubs played host to themed game nights, complete with a variety of promotions for fans in attendance.
“No force in Canada is stronger than Canadians who love hockey, so when the Western Hockey League joined forces with The Kidney Foundation of Canada and RE/MAX of Western Canada to promote organ donation, you knew something great was going to happen,” Don Cherry says. “In two years, together, they raised nearly half a million dollars and brought organ donation front and centre in people’s minds. Last year there was a rise of transplants in Canada by 2.6 per cent, in the west that percentage was 13.3 per cent. All involved should be very proud.”
A second special-edition bobblehead was given to 1,000 fans at each game along with 1,000 plaid house-shaped RE/MAX drink koozies. Fans in attendance also took photos with a life-size Don Cherry cut out. On the ice, WHL Clubs sported their own unique and specially-designed Don Cherry-themed uniforms, complete with player-selected nicknames instead of traditional surnames. “Once again, WHL fans in Western Canada have shown a tremendous willingness to get behind a noble cause in support of The Kidney Foundation of Canada,” comments WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Incredible contributions from WHL fans, the partnership of the WHL’s longest standing corporate sponsor, RE/MAX of Western Canada, and the support of Don Cherry and his family have all been instrumental in assisting the WHL in promoting awareness of the importance of organ donation.”
Fans had the opportunity to bid on the limited-edition jerseys, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to local chapters of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. In addition to game-worn uniforms, fans were given the chance to bid on a Don Cherry-autographed jersey in each participating WHL market.
“The generosity of Western Canadians is truly remarkable,” says Elaine Langhout, Director of Regional Advertising for RE/MAX of Western Canada. “At this year’s games, we even saw some folks wearing last
year’s jerseys and we thank all the fans who came out and supported us and this tremendous cause, and most of all, we thank Don Cherry and his family for sharing their story.”
The Cherry family, RE/MAX and the WHL came together to create this awareness campaign in support of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Though the number of transplants increased by 13 per cent last year, 4,300 Canadians still await organ transplants today, with 80% of them needing a kidney.
Cindy speaking about the 2019 WHL Suits up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation series & donating her kidney to her brother! Click image to watch.
Announcements and Full Schedule
2019 Schedule
January 2019
Edmonton Oil Kings
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Red Deer Rebels
Friday, January 25, 2019
February 2019
Kamloops Blazers
Friday, February 1, 2019
Moose Jaw Warriors
Friday, February 1, 2019
Prince Albert Raiders
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Regina Pats
Friday, February 15, 2019
Vancouver Giants
Friday, February 15, 2019
Brandon Wheat Kings:
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Swift Current Broncos
Friday, February 22, 2019
Lethbridge Hurricanes
Friday, February 22, 2019
March 2019
Kootenay Ice
Friday, March 1, 2019
Victoria Royals
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Calgary Hitmen
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Prince George Cougars
Friday, March 8, 2019
Kelowna Rockets
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Medicine Hat Tigers
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Saskatoon Blades
Saturday, March 9, 2019
‘RE/MAX PRESENTS: WHL SUITS UP WITH DON CHERRY TO PROMOTE ORGAN DONATION’ RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON
October 2, 2018
Kelowna, B.C. & Calgary, Alta. – RE/MAX of Western Canada is proud to partner with the Western Hockey League to present the second season of “RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation” – a series of events across WHL markets to promote the importance of organ donation and to generate further support of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
From January through March 2019, all 17 WHL Clubs in Canadian markets will play host to their very own themed games, complete with a variety of special promotions for fans in attendance. A total of 1,000 limited second edition Don Cherry bobbleheads will be distributed to fans in attendance.
During the 2017-18 WHL Regular Season, participating WHL Clubs came together with RE/MAX to raise over $265,500, representing the largest public awareness and fundraising campaign in the history of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
“On behalf of all RE/MAX associates in Western Canada, we’re super stoked to be partnering with Don Cherry again this year for this fantastic night of hockey fun and fundraising for the terrific cause, The Kidney Foundation of Canada,” said Elaine Langhout of RE/MAX of Western Canada. “My family was affected by kidney disease so it’s a cause close to my heart. We encourage fans to come out and support the night when it comes to their town!”
“Thanks to RE/MAX, the WHL and all its fans, the number of transplants last year increased by 13 per cent,” said Don Cherry. “Let’s keep this momentum going by signing your donor card and talking to your family. It only makes sense.”
“The WHL and our 17 Western Canadian-based Clubs are very excited to be working with RE/MAX, the WHL’s longest-standing corporate partner, to once again this season promote donations and raise additional funds for the Kidney Foundation of Canada,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Thanks to the direct involvement of hockey icon Don Cherry and his family and our RE/MAX partnership, we are confident our fans across Western Canada will once again show their strong support for this very important cause.”
During the 2018-19 WHL Regular Season, WHL Clubs will sport their own unique and specially-designed Don Cherry-themed uniforms on a designated game night. This year, players will sport uniforms emblazoned with fun nicknames as opposed to traditional surnames across their shoulders. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on the limited-edition jerseys, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to local chapters of the Kidney Foundation of Canada. In addition to game-worn uniforms, fans will have the chance to bid on one Don Cherry-autographed jersey in each participating WHL market.
The Kidney Foundation is a cause close to the Cherry family. Don’s son, Tim, received a kidney transplant from his sister Cindy. With close to 4,500 Canadians awaiting organ donation today – 76 per cent whom require a kidney – the Cherry family, RE/MAX and the WHL have come together to create this awareness campaign in support of the Kidney Foundation; who will have a booth at each game to field questions and hand out donation information.
RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation raises over $265,500
Regina, Sask. – The Western Hockey League, in partnership with RE/MAX, is proud to announce that over $265,500 has been raised through the “RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation” campaign, hosted during the months of October and March during the 2017-18 WHL Regular Season.
WHL fans embraced the new program through the purchase of special Don Cherry suit-themed jerseys and by registering to be organ donors at CanadaDonates.ca. The $265,500 raised is the Kidney Foundation of Canada’s largest public awareness and fundraising campaign for organ donation.
Don Cherry, WHL Commissioner Ron Robison and Jeremy Cossette of RE/MAX of Western Canada presented a cheque for $265,500 to Kurtis Krug of the Kidney Foundation of Canada prior to Monday’s contest between the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos and OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs at the 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup in Regina.
“The WHL and our Western Canada-based Clubs are proud to partner with RE/MAX of Western Canada and their agents to help promote the importance of organ donation and support for local Kidney Foundations,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Thanks to our fans purchasing specially designed Don Cherry suit themed jerseys, RE/MAX and the WHL are in a position to make a significant contribution to local Kidney Foundations in Western Canada.”
During the months of October 2017 and March 2018, 17 WHL Clubs played host to themed game nights, complete with a variety of promotions for fans in attendance. Special-edition Don Cherry bobbleheads were given to fans, along with limited-edition Don Cherry trading cards.
“I knew the people of the Western Hockey League would come through, and they came through in spades,” said Don Cherry, on behalf of the Kidney Foundation. “We couldn’t have done it without RE/MAX, our sponsor. $265,500 is the most we’ve ever raised and when you see something like that, it makes you very proud to be a Canadian.”
On the ice, WHL member Clubs sported unique Don Cherry-themed uniforms, which were then put up for auction, with proceeds designated towards local chapters of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
“Being involved with the Cherry family and the Kidney Foundation was a very exciting opportunity for us,” said Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President for RE/MAX of Western Canada. “As long-time supporters of organ donation across Canada we hope this partnership has increased the awareness about how critical it is to be an organ donor. Many lives can be enriched and saved when you register as a donor.”
During the month of October, “RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation” was hosted in Brandon, Calgary, Kootenay, Lethbridge, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Vancouver.
During the month of March, “RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation” was hosted in Edmonton, Kamloops, Kelowna, Medicine Hat, Prince George, Red Deer, Saskatoon, Swift Current and Victoria.
The Kidney Foundation is a cause close to the Cherry family. Don’s son, Tim, received a kidney transplant from his sister Cindy. With close to 4,500 Canadians awaiting organ donation today – 76 per cent whom require a kidney – the Cherry family, RE/MAX and the WHL have come together to create this awareness campaign in support of the Kidney Foundation.