My Leap: Cadence Colborn

Cadence Colborn, the top fundraiser at the 2017 Ringette Scores on Cancer event, shares what inspires her to give back

Photo courtesy of Alberta Cancer Foundation

In late December and at the last minute, 10-year-old Cadence Colborn’s ringette team registered for the 2017 Ringette Scores on Cancer event in Edmonton. The event was taking place the last weekend in January at the West Edmonton Mall, which meant Cadence and her U12 Saskatoon Thunder teammates had just one month to fundraise.

“I collected a whole pile of bottles and cans from families and friends, and I also called and emailed and texted,” says Cadence. Pretty soon, her efforts began to snowball. Cadence’s mom, Andrea Colborn, says that within several days, Cadence received help from friends, neighbours and a local business. She raised $2,353, making her the top individual fundraiser for the tournament. Cadence’s team raised $6,341.25, contributing to the weekend total of more than $60,000.

“If you can help at least a couple people in the world, then that’s a big difference.” — Cadence Colborn, top fundraiser 2017

The tournament is a combined effort of the Ringette Scores on Cancer Foundation, the University of Alberta Ringette Team and the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Proceeds benefit the Alberta Cancer Foundation in support of the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. Entering its ninth year, Ringette Scores has raised $700,000 to date.
The tournament offers plenty of prizes for top fundraisers, but Cadence had another incentive. Her cousin, who lives in Alberta, was diagnosed at age 13 with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue cancer. She is now 16 and cancer-free. Inspired by her cousin’s experience, Cadence says she wants to help find a cure and show other young people that they can help, too.

“It feels awesome,” she says. “You’ll help other people and make other people happy.”

Andrea says she was proud of, but not surprised by, her daughter’s determination.

“Anything that she does, she gives 100 per cent,” Andrea says. “She was with me to pick up every bottle and can that we collected. She made all the phone calls and she sent all the emails.”

In June, Cadence was invited back to Edmonton to attend an awards evening for the University of Alberta Ringette Team. The evening celebrates excellence in academics and athletics, as well as the team’s charitable contributions to the community. As Ringette Score’s top fundraiser, Cadence gave a short speech and presented the cheque to the Foundation. She says it felt “amazing.”

“If you can help at least a couple people in the world,” says Cadence, “then that’s a big difference.”

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