Planeload of young cancer patients headed for Grey Cup
Last Updated: Friday, November 23, 2007 | 5:46 PM CT
CBC News
A good deed inspired by Rider Pride has snowballed and will help a planeload of young people who have cancer get to the Grey Cup.
It started earlier this week when a group trying to send a Regina man with cancer to the Grey Cup reached its fundraising goal and then surpassed it.
That young man, Chris Knox, will be accompanying Premier Brad Wall to Toronto on a special flight.
More than $10,000 was raised, exceeding everyone's expectations.
One of the organizers of the trip, Trevor Lowey, said he was driving along thinking about all the extra money and support when he got an idea.
He immediately called up another volunteer on his cellphone.
"I said, 'Hey Kelly, how about we charter another airplane and we send 10 cancer kids to the Grey Cup with their families.'"
Since then, organizers have been putting the idea in motion. They've chartered a plane at cost and the flight crew is working for free.
One of the 10 recipients is 17-year-old Craig Tschetter, who has been battling cancer since March. He got the call Thursday at his home in Swift Current, asking if he'd like to go to the Grey Cup.
"Oh, it's really exciting," he said. "Everyone in Saskatchewan, I'm sure, would like to go and I'm one of the few that gets to … it's pretty awesome."
Although travel arrangements had been nailed down by Friday, there were concerns about whether tickets would be available at the sold-out CFL championship game.
Lowey got his answer later in the day when a box at Rogers Stadium was donated by an unidentified man.
"He's in Toronto, actually, and has a luxury suite available, and he gave it to us," he said.
The Grey Cup game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers begins at 4:30 p.m. CT on Sunday.
Share Tools
Latest Saskatchewan News Headlines
- Norris, 6 others out in major Sask. cabinet shuffle

- There was a big cabinet shuffle in Regina on Friday, with seven people in, seven out and a slew of portfolio changes. more »
- 3 videos to watch before the Saskatchewan Marathon
- Sunday is race day for the 2012 Saskatchewan Marathon. CBC News reporters Jill Smith and Devin Heroux have prepared feature reports, about running. more »
- Suspect arrested in alleged U of S assault
- A 22-year-old man is charged with sexual assault and uttering threats, following an incident at the University of Saskatchewan, police say. more »
- Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada heads to Lloydminster
- Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada is heading west to Lloydminster, Alta./Sask., in February, 2013 for its 13th annual broadcast. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
- Norris, 6 others out in major Sask. cabinet shuffle
- Suspect arrested in alleged U of S assault
- New nightclub aims to keep gang members away
- Firefighters describe hostile workplace in Prince Albert
- RCMP to close labs in Halifax, Winnipeg, Regina
- 3 videos to watch before the Saskatchewan Marathon
- Sex products removed from shelves in Saskatoon
- Volleyball team enjoys an impromptu moment with Prince Charles
- Toronto drug dealers visit Saskatoon to ply trade, police say

