By Geoff Crane
Stampeders.com

Friday’s West Division showdown between the Calgary Stampeders and bitter rival Saskatchewan Roughriders will be the annual PinkPower game in support of the ongoing battle against women’s cancers.

A simple survey of the Stamps locker-room will give you a very real sense of how many are truly affected by this terrible disease, as most players have either had a family member or know someone close to them who has had women’s cancer impact their lives.

One such player is Calgary rookie receiver and return man Sederrik Cunningham.

A few years ago as Cunningham was preparing to enter his first year of college, his mother was diagnosed with cancer.

“She was pretty scared,” says the speedy wideout. “She didn’t want to talk about it too much and she didn’t want to tell us much because that’s the kind of person she is. But when we found out about it, I definitely rallied around my mom.”

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, more than 93,000 women will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone; a staggering number of women who have a long and difficult battle ahead of them.

“A lot of women have to deal with this and they need our support,” says Cunningham. “People don’t realize, you don’t have to go out and buy them flowers all the time and you don’t have to do all the expensive things. Just listen. Listen to their experiences and listen to what they are going through.”

On top of providing emotional support, Cunningham, the Stampeders and the CFL are helping provide Calgarians with an opportunity to rally around and support the numerous women’s cancer organizations who are on the frontlines of fighting these diseases through the #CFLPink initiative.

This Friday at McMahon, limited-edition pink toques and mittens will be sold at the stadium gates with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society through the Stampeders Foundation.

To show additional support, players throughout the league have donned pink equipment and accessories during the month of October.

“I want to try to make sure the attire is all together, maybe some gloves maybe some cleats and maybe some laces,” says Cunningham who also wants to encourage fans to find anything pink and wear it to the game.

“It’s very important for big organizations and leagues like the CFL to rally and support women because this is very scary for women and families to go through.”

Thankfully, his mother is a feel-good story being one of many cancer survivors, thanks to early detection by doctors, cutting-edge research and medications and the many organizations who help to fund these resources.

“My mom was lucky,” says Cunningham. “You only get one mom, she’s the one that birthed you, so come out and support the Stamps. Grab anything that’s pink, come out, wear it and support the fight against women’s cancers.”