September 9, 2000
The Leader-Post Regina
By Anne Kyle of the Leader-Post
Friends of the late Olympic curling champion Sandra Schmirler announced Friday the sale of pins commemorating the Saskatchewan woman's life raised $271,223 for her two charities.
"It is a bittersweet day. But, on the other hand, we are so proud of the pin and what it means to the community and to Sandra's memory," said Schmirler's mother Shirley at a special cheque presentation.
"If Sandra had been here today, she would have been overwhelmed and she would have been humbled by the incredible support. I think she would say from the bottom of her heart, 'thank you,'" she said.
The profits from the sale will be split between the Hospitals of Regina Foundation for the neo-natal intensive care unit and the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Because of Sandra, who helped raise funds for and the profile of the neo-natal intensive care unit, babies who might not have had a chance are living happy and healthy lives," said Rick Molaro, explaining the foundation will create a Sandra Schmirler Endowment Fund to provide ongoing support for equipment in the unit at the Regina General Hospital.
The Canadian Cancer Society, meanwhile, will use its share of the money to fund breast cancer research and provide support services for cancer patients.
"A third of us will develop cancer in our lifetime," said Donna Bucsis, president of the Saskatchewan division of the society, expressing hope that the wealth of information generated by the breast cancer research will ultimately lead to a cure for cancer.
Schmirler, who was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame posthumously earlier this year, led her Regina-based curling team to an Olympic gold in 1998, and three Canadian and world championships. She died of cancer on March 2 at the age of 36.
The idea for the pin — a heart surrounded by four clasped hands bordered by a circle depicting unity, began with Ottawa's Anne Merklinger, one of the driving forces behind the JVC Women's Curling Tour.
In the fall of 1999, Merklinger and her teammates were sitting at the wedding reception of a mutual friend shortly after hearing about Schmirler's diagnosis of cancer. They designed a silver pin that competitive curlers could wear to show their support of Sandra during her courageous struggle.
Word of the pins spread quickly and the public began calling to find out where they could buy one. With the help of Chris Pasterfield, vice-president of marketing for Regina-based pin manufacturer Laurie Artiss Ltd., and his wife Karen, a gold version of the pin was created and made available to the public with the money going to two designated charities.
"It is an exciting day. I know from all the curlers, who wore the pin last season — men and women alike, and those wearing them at the Brier as well — it is a very touching day. We are delighted we were able to leverage the pin concept into some meaningful dollars for both of Sandra's charities. I know Sandra would be very happy with what happened here today," Merklinger said.
As word of Schmirler's death spread, tributes started pouring in along with orders for the commemorative pin.
"At first we were worried that 2,500 pins would be too many," said Pasterfield.
"Apparently that wasn't the case," he said, More than 35,000 people from Saskatchewan, across Canada and around the world bought the pin.
"As the orders started to pour in, so did the stories about Sandra. Everyone had something they wanted to share. I can't tell you how many phone calls ended up in tears. It was emotionally draining and invigorating at the same time," Pasterfield said.
The success of the lapel pin sale, while overwhelming, comes as no surprise to Merklinger, who noted it is indicative to the person the pin represents.
