‘More Than Football’: Riders Annual Pink Game Supports Women Battling Life-Threatening Cancer

Words by Daniella Ponticelli

Mike Edem first stepped out for a CFL pink game nine years ago.

Wearing a Montreal Alouette uniform with pink accents, in recognition of breast cancer awareness month, Edem sent a photo to the woman he was playing for: his aunt, Esther Akpan.

“She pretty much raised me,” Edem said. “I was a troubled kid and she always told me, ‘It doesn’t have to be like that’.”

A mom of five, Esther was truly a mother to all. Edem remembers spending weekends with his sisters and cousins at his aunt’s home while growing up in Lagos, Nigeria. She shared lessons on everything from finance to faith, to the importance of treating people with respect.

Edem and his family moved to Toronto, Canada when he was 13, and Esther and her family eventually settled in Bakersfield, California. The distance created a temporary rift, but the two reconnected and were close when Esther battled breast cancer, prior to his start in the CFL.

“That’s why I play the game. She told me to live my dreams,” Edem said.

Esther leaned on God during her fight, which she won, and was able to positively influence the Rider safety throughout his professional football career. Esther later became close with Edem’s now-wife, with whom she talked with on the phone and was excited to meet at their wedding.

However, COVID-19 postponed the celebration and also brought personal tragedy; Esther died from the virus in February 2021.

“It just sucks not having her. That was a part of me that I lost and I wish my wife had got to meet her, and my kids,” he said, adding Saturday’s pink game will honour her memory as a breast cancer survivor.

“We’re playing a game, and they’re fighting the fight for their life. Just never give up hope … stay true to yourself and the people around you and believe.”

Riders kicker Brett Lauther said the pink game is always a special one on the schedule.

“Every game is super important, it goes without saying, but there’s some games that mean a little more and this one is obviously super important,” Lauther said. “It really gives people a sense of belonging and belief too, and every year I look forward to this game.”

Running back Jamal Morrow said the cause adds to his long-anticipated return to the Riders lineup Saturday after undergoing surgery for a broken hand in late August.

“I’ve had people in my close circle who’ve battled cancer,” Morrow said. “Just to go out there and step out on the field for those who’ve gone through it, the survivors and people who’ve lost loved ones … it’s bigger than football.”

While the team will don green, white and pink Saturday, the game does more than raise awareness. Every year, all money made through the sale of pink merchandise, this year a toque, supports the Cameco Riders Touchdown for Dreams — a dream-granting program open to any woman in Saskatchewan facing a life-threatening cancer diagnosis.

It started in 2011 as a partnership between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. Less than a year later, Cameco joined as the third partner.

“Cameco Riders Touchdown for Dreams brings so many people together and makes such a big difference with families impacted by life-threatening cancer,” said Jonathan Huntington, Vice President, Sustainability and Stakeholder Relations for Cameco.

“We’ve granted almost 70 dreams to women in Saskatchewan over the years. Thank you to Rider Nation for buying pink toques this weekend to make more dreams come true.”

Veteran defensive lineman Charleston Hughes is the Cameco Riders Touchdown for Dreams ambassador. He’s been involved with personal visits and has witnessed some of the dreams being granted.

“It really just brings joy into their lives. Whether it’s getting stuff done to their house, a concert, whatever, Cameco is there to help do it,” Hughes said.

“I’ve shown up to somebody’s house before and saw tears come to her eyes. That was probably one of the greatest moments in football for me.”

Donations can be made to the Cameco Riders Touchdown for Dreams anytime, online, throughout the year. Hughes said he’s grateful to everyone who has helped make a difference in Rider Nation.

“To everyone who has helped out, continue to help out and continue to support. Continue to be there,” he said. “If there’s any fans out there who are affected by cancer, or has loved ones affected by cancer, make sure to be there for them. Make sure you tell them you love them.”

Each spring, women who are facing a life-threatening cancer diagnosis can apply to have their dream fulfilled. What’s in the dream is up to the applicant. Cameco, the Riders and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency review the applications and select, on average, seven or eight wishes every year.