By Shelley Winger
For Cherie Striegler, stepping onto the ice to drop the puck at the Redwater Rebels’ breast cancer awareness
night was about much more than hockey. It was a reminder of how a community can come together to support
a cause that touches so many families.
The Rebels hosted the special night during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, recognizing Cherie’s
participation in the Run for the Cure and her family’s personal connection to the disease.
The team manager reached out to Cherie after learning she had participated in the fundraising event. As the
team looked for more opportunities to give back to the community, supporting breast cancer awareness was an
initiative they wanted to pursue.
The idea was first discussed in early September, but the team did not have a suitable game until October,
making the timing ideal.
“It was an incredible feeling to have the team support,” Cherie said. “There are a bunch of upstanding young
boys that are very passionate about hockey, and so it was a privilege to have them back me.”
Cherie was particularly moved to learn that the gesture had been planned from the beginning. She had initially
believed she was being asked to do the puck drop because the team’s sponsor had withdrawn.
Instead, the Rebels had taken the time to visit her Run for the Cure page and learn about the experiences of
both her maternal and paternal grandmothers, who battled breast cancer.
Her maternal grandmother, Ruby Davis, whom the family called Mom Mom, battled the disease for 14 years
before passing away. Her paternal grandmother, Marlene Treen, known as Nana, also had breast cancer.
Cherie said Nana had a large tumour when she died and was also living with Alzheimer’s disease, which
affected her ability to report the pain she was experiencing.
The personal connection made the team’s recognition especially meaningful.
“I was tearing up quite a bit,” Cherie said.
Although she did not know exactly what to expect from the puck drop, the experience became a lasting
memory. She got to keep the puck and purchased apparel created for the event, along with mini hockey sticks
and a special Redwater Rebels breast cancer awareness jersey bearing her favourite number.
The team also supported the cause through fundraising efforts, including the sale of breast cancer awareness
cupcakes and event merchandise.
For Cherie, the night demonstrated the impact of community support, both through fundraising and through
gestures that make people feel seen and valued.
“It felt really special that this cause impacts so many people,” she said. “We all know somebody that has
battled, has family or friends affected, or has passed from breast cancer.”
Cherie said she was proud of the community and grateful to the Rebels for getting behind the cause.
“I am so proud of our community and I’m so proud of the Redwater Rebels.”