This year 2,225 Alberta women will be diagnosed with cancer, and one group in Jasper is doing its part to help support them in their fight. 

The Jasper Jugs participated in the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers on July 24 and 25, and raised $12,000 for cancer research that will stay in the province. 

The team, made up of Tammy Wegmuller, Ginny Allenbach, Marlene Dolhan, Lynn Goshawk, Kelly Blackstock, Linda Kikstra, Diane Muir and Laurie-Ann Reddick, raised an additional $700 for a local cancer charity. That money went to the Jasper Cancer Action and Support Group, which helps those diagnosed with cancer receive emotional support and access resources. The group also contributes money to those afflicted by cancer, to lessen the burden of the costs surrounding going outside of Jasper for treatment. 

“Some of the money raised does stay in our local group,” said Reddick, who is captain of the team.

The captain is proud of what they managed to raise with only eight people. 

“$12,000 to raise in a small community, it’s a lot of money,” Reddick said. 

At the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers, $2.7 million was raised in Alberta. All of that money will remain in the province. The walk was 60 kilometres in total, or 32 kilometres on the first day, which the Jasper Jugs participated in. Wegmuller walked the second day to complete the entire 60 kilometres. 

“It was very exciting, it’s just a wonderful event,” Reddick said. “It felt absolutely amazing to be part of such a powerful movement.”

The Jasper Jugs have been participating in the annual walk for cancer for five years. This year they changed the scenery and attended the Calgary walk, but most years they take part in the Edmonton event. 

Reddick said the mood at the walk was mixed with sorrow, for those who have been lost to women’s cancers, and happiness and optimism. 

“Lots of laughter, lots of tears,” she said. 

The women that participated with the Jasper Jugs are not athletes, and had to train to be able to complete the 32 kilometres. 

Reddick said the Jasper business community has been generous in their support of the Jugs. The team raised money a number of ways including a spring gala, a garage sale and 50/50 tickets sold at Karaoke Idol. 

With the Weekend to End Women’s Cancer behind them, the Jasper Jugs will now move on to other fund-raising initiatives through the Jasper Cancer Action and Support Group. 

“The local group has no funding,” Reddick said. 

The Jasper Fire Department has printed pink shirts with their logo on them, which the Jasper Jugs wore at the recent cancer walk in Calgary. The remaining shirts are being sold for $25 at the EMS building and at the hospital. They can also be purchased through Reddick, by calling her at 780-852-6640. All money raised will stay in the local group. They will also be raising money at the Jasper Heritage Rodeo through the sale of 50/50 tickets. 

“The fire brigade has been very supportive of us,” Reddick said. 

It is difficult to find a person who has not had some sort of experience with cancer, Reddick said.

“Everybody has been affected by cancer either directly or indirectly,” she said. “It affects us all.”

By donating to the local charity, Jasperites will benefit from having access to support groups and more. 

“It helps to make services more accessible,” Reddick said. 

Anyone who has either recently been diagnosed with cancer, or knows someone who has, can contact the Jasper Cancer Action and Support Group through Reddick, who said the group is led entirely by word of mouth. Peer support is available for anyone interested.