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South Delta basketball referees lead fight against cancer

14th annual Pink Whistle Campaign underway until Feb. 19 with donations being accepted at high school games as well as online
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South Delta residents and B.C. Basketball referees Karn Dhillon (left) and Mike Craig are spearheading the 14th annual Pink Whistle- Call A Foul on Cancer Campaign. Donations for the B.C. Cancer Foundation are being accepted in person at high school games or online until Feb. 19.

There will be plenty of pink on the local high school basketball courts for the next couple of weeks for a tremendous cause.

The B.C. Basketball Officials Association has launched its 14th annual Pink Whistle Campaign, a fundraiser for the B.C. Cancer Foundation.

Since its inception, more than $160,000 has been raised.

Until Feb. 19, officials will be using pink whistles and pink lanyards. They have also added pink and black striped referee shirts. Donations can be made at games or online.

The campaign is near and dear to longtime official and Ladner resident Karn Dhillon who wanted to do something after his sister Amanjit was diagnosed with brain cancer. She lost her five-year battle in 2013 at the age of 55.

Other members of Dhillon’s family were impacted by cancer too and it wasn’t hard to find others within the basketball referee community. The campaign has been going strong and building even more momentum since, even raising funds through the challenges of COVID when no games were played in 2021.  

“Our boots are on the ground (on and off the court) as we look to increase awareness of cancer and more funds for the B.C. Cancer Foundation. Once again, we’re ready to ‘Call A Foul On Cancer,’” said Dhillon. “We want to say thank-you to coaches, players, and the fans who have always warmed up to us.”

There are three ways to make donations including: cash and coins through donation buckets at game; cash donations via e-transfers to pinkwhistlelegacyfund@gmail.com and credit/debit card donations via the B.C. Cancer Foundation donation site with tax receipts provided.

Delta’s Four Winds Brewery has also come on board. For the entire month of February partial proceeds of every glass of beer sold in the Four Winds’ Taproom on River Road and 72nd Street will be donated to the Pink Whistle Campaign.