Program granting dreams for Sask. women with cancer expands

Marilyn Young gives no clues that on Thursday she will see undergo her 17th chemotherapy treatment.

Donning her pink and green Rider jersey, Young beams with positivity as she talks about her deadly ovarian cancer diagnosis.

“(It was  a) total shock because everyone else in my family has had cancer except me and I thought, ‘OK, I’m the healthy one. Can’t happen to me.’ But it did,” she said. Her husband beat colon cancer and her daughter beat leukemia.

Young had been a volunteer with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and helped raise money for TVs with scrolling screens. Sitting in at the centre with her husband after her diagnosis, she saw a call for applications for the Cameco Touchdown for Dreams. Her husband wrote down the information and applied.

Last year, Young was one of five recipients. She wished to go on an Alaskan cruise with her husband. She had been on one before but wanted to experience its beauty together.

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“I wanted to share that picture with him so that we have that memory of us together,” she said.

Applications for potential 2015 dream recipients opened Wednesday. Due to an outpouring of support, the program is expanding. The program is funded by Rider fans who bought souvenirs at the annual October game, Cameco’s funding, and donations from the public.

Over the next two years, the program will grant seven to 10 wishes worth $7,500-$10,000 per year. Previously, the program had granted five wishes worth $5,000 per year.

Young said her wish was a huge part of her healing process.

“It takes the negatives away and brings in some positive, happy things—happy memories to make. It’s very important,” she said.

Cameco president and CEO Tim Gitzel said it’s a way to provide hope and fun to the recipients.

“For us, it’s important that we give back to the community,” he said, adding Cameco employees who volunteer have been happy to help.

“They love getting together because these are their neighbours and friends that we are helping out. Saskatchewan is like that and our people are no different.”

Young is blown away by the support she has received from Rider Nation.

“The fanfare! The billboards! My husband is finally married to a billboard girl. It’s wonderful,” she said.

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