Pandas Suit Up For Charity

The University of Alberta Pandas return to the safety of Clare Drake Arena to begin the second half of the Canada West season on Friday night. The Pandas, who were involved in a motor vehicle accident returning from Calgary last weekend, didn’t quite finish their home and home series with rivals the Calgary Dinos. The missed game will be rescheduled.

However, this does leave the Pandas looking to return to the win column after a 2-1 loss against the Dinos in Calgary last Friday night. Despite the loss, the Pandas had a solid effort in Calgary and a lot of positives to build on going into their clash against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

The Pandas have played the Huskies in one series already this year – and the results were a split in two close games. The Pandas lost 1-0 in the season opener, but took a 2-1 win in the second game. The Pandas currently have a 8-3-2-0 record. They sit in second place in the Canada West standings, behind Manitoba (8-3-2-1) who have played one more game. The Huskies have a 5-4-4-1 record and sit in the middle of the Canada West standings. Despite the gap in the standings, the Huskies will be an interesting matchup for the Pandas.

Overall, a low scoring and highly defensive series is expected based on these two teams previous meeting. However, the Pandas have the offensive depth to open up the scoring and make this a more lopsided affair.

The Pandas also host their annual charity game on Saturday December 1 at 2pm. The perfect end to a week featuring Giving Tuesday, the Pandas will have fundraising for the Myeloma Alberta Support Society. The Myeloma Alberta Support Society supports individuals from Northern Alberta to Central Alberta with multiple myeloma. They define multiple Myeloma as a cancer of the plasma cell, a white blood cell, which originates in the bone marrow. A plasma cell is a type of immune cell that produces antibodies to fight infection. Multiple myeloma refers to the presence of myeloma in several areas of the bone marrow. They are also involved in education and advocacy efforts around myeloma.

Myeloma corresponded to 1.6% of total new cases of cancer in men and 1.2% of total new cases of cancer in women in 2017. There is no cure of myeloma, but it is treatable. Some more standard elements of treatment include (with a bunch of more scientific treatments not listed):

· Observation

· Radiotherapy

· Chemotherapy

· High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation

Tough stuff for anyone to go through!

The Pandas will raise funds to donate to the Myeloma Alberta Support Society through a variety of fundraising activities. These will include the always popular 50/50, charity raffles and a chuck a puck events. Truly something for everyone!

Myeloma Alberta Support Society will also be on hand at Clare Drake to provide information and drop the puck at the start of the game. Those attending who wish to show support for the Myeloma Alberta Support Society and those with Myeloma can wear burgundy or maroon to the game.

See you all there!