The Pembina Valley Twisters have teamed up with the Red River Mud Bugs and Morris Mavericks for the first time to raise awareness at this weekend's Cancer Care Fundraiser. The event gets underway February 2nd, 2017 when the Red River Mud Bugs will play the Mitchell Mohawks in St Jean.

"We came together this year for the first time because one of the Mudbugs teammates came to me in 2016 and said they really like the Cancer Care fundraiser we hold every year and that they wanted to be a part of it," explained Co-owner of the Pembina Valley Twisters Pat Schmitke.

Rempel Insurance in Morris kicked things off this week traditionally to bring more awareness to the event with a $1,500 donation. The Cancer Care Fundraiser was originally started by Rempel Insurance Owner Dale Rempel in 2009 who had been a big part of minor sports like hockey in the region. He was diagnosed with cancer the year prior.

"We like to kick things off to give awareness so people come out and support the weekend and the hockey teams involved, the communities all around Morris really support this event whether it's buying tickets, watching the games or just direct donations it's been really great," said Lynn Rempel President and CEO of Morris Rempel Insurance.

Rempel went onto to say that Rempel Insurance has been involved since her husband started the event on a personal level and continued to be a part of it after he passed.

"In 2008 my husband Dale was diagnosed with cancer, the hockey team and the management at that time decided that they wanted to do something to give back to Cancer Care Manitoba which had been involved in Dale's case and I think there are so many people in Manitoba that are affected by cancer in some way." explained Rempel.

In the past as much as $30,000 has been raise in one weekend at this event for Cancer Care and Schmitke says he is hoping to bring in some substantial funds for Cancer Care again this weekend.

"With the three teams coming together this year there is a tonne of great hockey to watch and a great event to raise funds for," said Schmitke.

Schmitke continued by saying that he sees the event bringing out all kinds of people, because cancer has touched everyone in some way whether it's themselves or someone they know.

"Everything starts tonight in St Jean, We have some exciting hockey, a silent auction, 50/50 shoot to win event, and on Saturday CFAM will be coming out to support us at the Twisters game in coordination with their 60th anniversary and they have some great ideas on how they are going to raise some extra money. I will keep that to myself for right now but it's going to be exciting and you will want to be here for sure."

Schmitke continued by saying players from the Twisters team have already started raising funds and if each individual player raises at least $50 then Coach Ryan Dyck will allow them to give him a wacky haircut.

Pembina Valley Twister Team Owners Pat Schmitke, Perry Mohr, and Corey Wall with President of Rempel Insurance in Morris Lynn Rempel