Location: Mount Royal University
4825 Mt Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6
Date: March 12, 2016 starts at 10:30am, Natasha's Dream Come True Team is 12:30pm
The Stampede City Showdown is Calgary’s only cheerleading competition. With over 70 teams expected to attend, the excitement keeps on growing. So dust of your cowboy boots, and join the fun at the Stampede City Showdown.
Calgary Girl with Brain Tumour to Live Out Dream this Weekend at Cheerleading Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE (press) RELEASE
March 9, 2016, Calgary, AB – Natasha Rose Gould, age 12, will be living a dream come true this weekend at the Stampede City Showdown Competition at Mount Royal University.
A little less than a year ago, at age 11, the world changed for Natasha. On May 1, 2015, this active, bubbly, big-hearted 11 year old, was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG) a highly aggressive and difficult to treat brain tumor found at the base of the brain, mostly in children. This same day she was scheduled to try out for a youth cheerleading position with the Calgary Stars Gymnastics and Cheerleading Club. Given the sad news, Natasha learned she was unable to fulfill her passion and tryout for the team. This wasn’t an acceptable answer for Jodi Poirier, the club owner and coach, who believes that everyone needs to have a chance to reach their dreams. In offering support to Natasha, Stars made her an honorary member and her “Dream Come True” Team is set to perform this weekend at the Stampede City Showdown Competition at Mount Royal University (MRU) held by Double Up Productions.
“I feel pretty happy,” shares Natasha. “I know there are people out there supporting me and helping me make my dreams come true. I want to be an inspiration for kids with and without cancer; no matter who you are or what is going on in your life, you can make the best of it!”
Hundreds of cheer athletes will gather to compete at the MRU Recreation Building on Saturday March 12th. The event starts at 10:30am and Natasha’s team will perform around 12:30pm. If you’ve ever attended a cheer competition you will understand the energy, excitement and utmost dedication of both the athletes and the crowd. Natasha will experience the excitement and the energy of the competition, all the while knowing how important she is to her team mates and to her community. There will not be a voice silent nor a tearless eye as she is given the opportunity to fulfil one of her dreams.
Good luck wishes have been received from all over the world including cheer teams from Australia and Scotland. Congratulatory videos have also been received from from country music singers Paul Brandt and Tim Hicks, Jann Arden, Hedley, and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
It is the goal of Natasha and her parents to raise awareness for this unfortunate cancer.
“Too little funding is available to find a cure for kids with cancer and this needs to change,” says Natasha’s Mom, Saskia Van Breevoort.
In support of Natasha’s mission to help fight cancer and to raise awareness about this difficult disease, Natasha and her family created a blog located at www.prayfornatasha.ca Anyone interested in knowing more can also go to: https://ccbcf.org/our-mission/.
Jodi Poirier
owner
Calgary Stars Gymnastics and Cheerleading Club STARS 403.862.9378
Jodi@calgarystarsgym.com
OR
Kathy Oberg
Volunteer
403.616.7024 koberg.mobile@gmail.com
For interview requests and contact on event day please contact:
Kathy Oberg
Volunteer
403.616.7024 koberg.mobile@gmail.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: Event runs from 10:30am – 12:45pm. The Dream Come True team is expected to perform at 12:40pm (however, times may vary). It would be recommended that media arrive at 12:00pm. Access via Mount Royal University Northwest Entrance (event is located in the Cougar Gymnasium.)