After a decade of grit, Dianne Andernacht’s “Let’s Body Check Cancer” tournament has now raised over C$1 million.
It all began in 2015 when Andernacht and four friends, each haunted by a family cancer battle, decided to lace a hockey rink with hope. The first edition saw eight teams and a modest C$10,000 haul, a figure that, at the time, felt almost as high as the stakes. Word of mouth turned a local gathering into a nationwide tradition.
The emotional core of the event is Aidan, the three‑year‑old nephew whose neuroblastoma diagnosis in 2008 sparked the idea. In 2015 his team, Team Aidan, dropped a ceremonial puck, and by 2023 the 19‑year‑old scored a goal in his own namesake team—proof that a game can carry a story.
The hockey community has been the engine behind the surge: volunteers, coaches, players, and sponsors have poured in, turning each season into a ripple that expands the next. From eight to dozens of teams, the event’s footprint now covers several provinces.
Looking ahead, organizers aim to double the haul, targeting C$2 million next year, while keeping the ice alive for families in need.