After watching his cousin battle Cystic Fibrosis while they were both growing up, TJ Brodie knew from an early age that he wanted to do something to fundraise for the disease.
So when the Calgary Flames offered some assistance, the NHL defenceman and Dresden native was happy see this vision through.
“My cousin (Ian Badder of Thamesville) was diagnosed with it sine he was born,” Brodie said. “Growing up we were always very close, we were pretty much like brothers. We spent a lot of time together and I really got to see what he went through growing up, all the pills, the medication and just what a struggle it was, how hard it was for him breathe. Eventually to see him have the lung transplant and seeing how well he is today, I just wanted to help other kids like him that are dealing with that, and try to raise awareness for organ donation at the same time because it does make such a big difference in people’s lives.”
Brodie is selling skate guards, which include the Calgary Flames logo, the Cystic Fibrosis logo and Brodie’s #7.
“The skate guards are for Cystic Fibrosis, just to raise money to donate to the charity and at the same time to raise awareness for organ donation,” Brodie said. “Calgary has been along the whole time, they are the one’s who organized it and helped me make it possible.”
Brodie added: “They’re on sale for $20 apiece… $10 goes towards the actual cost of the skate guards, $10 goes towards the charity and myself and the Calgary Flames Foundation match that $10. So really for every pair that gets sold, it is raising $30 that goes directly to the charity.”
Brodie said they are still working out details to get more of the skate guards for anyone interested locally.
“They just came in,” he said. “Last night at the Dresden Kings camp we ended up selling over 20. After seeing that I have more ordered now that are on their way. We’ll figure out a good solution on how to sell them.”
Brodie said overall, the response has been fantastic.
“It’s a lot bigger than I ever imagined,” he said. “I always wanted to get a charity going, especially for CF growing up. To finally get the chance to do and have the team help me out and put all that hard work in and the effort, it means a lot.
Brodie said he is heading back to Calgary on Wednesday to prepare for the upcoming season.
Photo credit: www.flames.nhl.com
