By Troy Gillard (Twitter: @Troy_Gillard)

Rebels to “Don” special jerseys to support Kidney Foundation

Mar 9, 2018 | 8:48 AM

Saturday will be a fun night at the rink in support of a “beauty” cause when the Red Deer Rebels take on the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The Rebels will take to the ice dressed in special edition Don Cherry-style jerseys for “RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ” – a series of events taking place across the league to promote the importance of organ donation and to generate further support of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Organ donation is a cause that hits close to home for the Cherry family, as Don’s daughter Cindy once donated a kidney to her brother Tim.

“That was back in 1979 when dad was coaching the Boston Bruins, so next year will be 40 years,” she recalls. “He [Tim] is doing well. He scouts for the OHL. Things really turned out well so that’s why we’re promoting organ donation in Canada.”

Right now, close to 4,500 Canadians are awaiting organ donation today – 76 per cent whom require a kidney.

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Cindy Cherry says it’s surprising to see where our country ranks world-wide when it comes to organ donations.

“Canada is 23rd in the world for organ transplants. It’s just hard to believe so we in the Cherry family are trying to get the hockey culture to step up and try to change those stats.”

During the month of March, nine WHL member Clubs in Canadian markets are playing host to their very own “Don Cherry” themed games. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a special-edition Don Cherry bobblehead, while other fans will receive a limited-edition Don Cherry trading card, produced by Upper Deck. Fans can also take a selfie with a life-size stand-up cut out of Don Cherry.

“Each team picked their own colours for the plaid and they put their logo on them. It has the high collar and the French cuffs that are monogrammed, and the rose on the lapel, so they’re pretty authentic,” Cindy Cherry explains about the jerseys the Rebels will be wearing for the game.

Fans will have the opportunity to bid on the limited-edition jerseys, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to local chapter of the Kidney Foundation. In addition to game-worn uniforms, fans will have the chance to bid on one Don Cherry-autographed jersey.

Tickets for Saturday’s Rebels game versus Medicine Hat are available through ticketsalberta.com. Game time is at 7 p.m.