Foligno jersey finds a new home at Northeast Cancer Centre

A woman with a head scarf approaches a media gathering at the Northeast Cancer Centre, and asks what's going on. Mike Foligno immediately abandons his conversation, and goes to talk to her.

It's clear the cancer centre is a place close to the former Sudbury Wolves coach's heart. Foligno's wife, Janis, underwent treatments at the facility before her death from cancer in 2009.

“There's so many good people here,” said Mike, now the assistant coach of the AHL team Chicago Wolves.

“All I remember is when we did come here, we felt reassured that things were getting taken care of. I knew my wife was in good hands here. I think people feel that way when they come here.”

After Janis' death, the Foligno family created the Janis Foligno Foundation. It has now donated several hundred thousand dollars to cancer-related causes, including to the Northern Cancer Foundation.

On behalf of the foundation formed in his wife's memory, Foligno gave the Northern Cancer Foundation a cheque for another $7,500 on July 16 – this time for their cancer equipment fund.

To honour all that the Janis Foligno Foundation has done for the Northeast Cancer Centre, Dr. Clyde Hourtovenko and wife, Karen Hourtovenko, also made a donation to the cancer centre.

In 2010, when Foligno was still the Sudbury Wolves coach, the Foligno family organized an event called Pink in the Rink to raise money to combat cancer.

As part of the fundraiser, the pink jerseys worn by the team were auctioned off.

Clyde was successful in purchasing Foligno's jersey, as well as the jersey worn by his son Nick, a former Wolves player.

While Clyde has kept Nick's jersey – which is now framed – displayed at his clinic, he decided to donate Foligno's jersey to the Northeast Cancer Centre.

The Hourtovenkos said they're good friends with the Foligno family, and wanted to honour Janis' memory and draw attention to the Janis Foligno Foundation.

“She spent a lot of time here, and had nothing but wonderful things to say about people who cared for her here in Sudbury,” Karen said.

“We just think it's fitting for her memory to stay here, and give other people that desire to fight, because she was a fighter.”

Foligno said he's touched by the Hourtovenkos' gesture.

“They're really generous people,” he said. “They're really community-oriented, and really family-oriented, and we've been friends for quite some time. We're really thankful for them for making this contribution.”

Northern Cancer Foundation executive director Tannys Laughren said the organization is currently in the process of deciding where to hang the donated jersey.

She said the breast assessment clinic at the Sudbury Outpatient Centre has requested the jersey, but they're also considering hanging it near the lobby at the Northeast Cancer Centre.

“This jersey will remind people about the amazing work that's going on out there,” Laughren said, adding that she's thrilled the Hourtovenkos decided to make the donation. “People will look at it and be happy.”

She also praised the Foligno family for its ongoing support of the Northern Cancer Foundation.

“This is not the first donation the Foligno Foundation has made for us,” Laughren said. “We have a long partnership with them. Their generosity has been incredible.”

To learn more about the Janis Foligno Foundation, search for the organization on Facebook.