A severe cold snap hasn’t stopped former Airdrie resident Dustin Symon and 39 others from raising money for cancer research by participating in the seventh annual World’s Longest Hockey Game.
Participants laced their skates for the 11-day game on Feb. 4, with the goal of breaking the Guinness Book of World Records’ longest hockey game of 252 hours. The game is taking place on an outdoor rink at Saiker’s Acres in Strathcona County, which is owned by optometrist Dr. Brent Saik, who runs the event every year.
“I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but the cause is worth every second,” Symon said.
Symon, who grew up in Airdrie and played minor hockey in the city, said there are two teams taking part in the game – Team Hope and Team Cure – that each have 20 players. Three shifts of players on each team play for four to seven hours straight before swapping out with their teammates so they can get some much-needed rest.
Making matters even more difficult, a severe cold snap has passed through Alberta in the last week, bringing temperatures of -40 C and lower with the wind chill.
“You just go out there and dig deep,” Symon said. “It can be tough to get out there and keep going, but it is for such a great cause. I am so grateful for the opportunity. I am surrounded by so many people that are totally committed to this.”
In order to play in the game, each player is tasked with raising $10,000 for the cause.
According to worldslongestgame.ca, since 2003, the annual game has raised more than $5.4 million toward cancer research efforts at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. This year’s iteration aims to raise $1.5 million for a new drug that is currently in clinical trials for a potential cure in specific hematological cancers.
The drug, called PCLX-001, shuts down the abnormal chemical signalling in many common cancers and triggers the cells to die, while sparing the normal, healthy cells, according to the website.
“Current studies have shown that PCLX-001 works differently than other known cancer drugs and has high activity and positive results in breast, lung, bladder and pancreas cancers,” the site stated. “It is predicted to make the most significant difference – and potentially even cure – Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, leukemias and other hematological cancers.”
A livestream of the game is being broadcast on YouTube, while a live scoreboard and funding count is available on worldslongestgame.ca. As of 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 10, Symon had tallied 54 goals for his team, which trailed 1,362 to 1,326. Meanwhile, more than $978,000 has been raised.
When the game finally wraps up on Feb. 15, Symon said he will be proud to have participated in a worthwhile cause.
“I have had some health issues in the past and battled through a pretty serious disease about nine years ago,” he said. “I was on death’s door. I know what it feels like to battle through something that you might not win.
“Giving people an opportunity to see the light, that is my real takeaway. A little bit of sacrifice, playing in ridiculous temperatures for ridiculously long hours, is a pretty small sacrifice.”
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
