“The BEARSKIN AIRLINES HOPE CLASSIC” is a curling bonspiel for women, which raises money to fight Breast Cancer. The 14th ANNUAL BEARSKIN AIRLINES HOPE CLASSIC will be held February 5th – 7th, 2010, at the Fort William Curling Club.

Linda Buchan, who had just recently undergone breast cancer treatment, was approached in 1996 by Barb Crooks, a breast cancer survivor, about starting a bonspiel to raise money for the Breast Cancer Support Group. The organizing committee worked on planning the bonspiel for just over a year and in 1997 the first annual Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic was held at the Fort William Club, and we cannot say enough about this club and how they have been superb in  helping us.

Linda Buchan  approached Cliff Friesen, the co-owner of Bearskin Airlines about supporting the committee in this endeavour. Cliff’s daughter, Tammy Saliidas, had also just undergone breast cancer surgery and treatment. Cliff was supportive from Linda’s first meeting with him, and from that point on the committee has never looked back. This bonspiel is probably one of the most popular women’s bonspiels in Thunder Bay and the best  part of the bonspiel is that all money raised stays in Northwestern Ontario. All money is donated to the Linda Buchan Centre through the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Foundation.

Linda Buchan, passed away on December 11, 2002, just before the 7th Annual Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic, and although it was extremely difficult for the committee, they all agreed to carry on with Linda’s Dream.
The money raised over the years has been absolutely amazing with the totals as follows:
1997            $ 39,000                        1998            $ 48,000                        1999            $ 64,000
2000            $ 90,000                        2001            $115,000                        2002            $ 125,000
2003            $180,000                        2004            165,000                        2005            $165,000
2006            $210,000                        2007            $190,000                        2008            $175,000
2009            $165,000
2010            $169,000 .

This brings the total amount raised in thirteen years to $1,713,000.00 and once again we must say how wonderful it is that all money raised stays right here in Northwestern Ontario. We cannot express enough gratitude to the local and area sponsors as well as all of the women curlers who have supported us year after year.
The 10th Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic (2006) was an amazing year for the committee, the women who curl in the event as well as the entire city.  Not only did the Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic reach the $1,000,000 mark, but it was also announced at the closing ceremonies of the event that the breast screening and assessment centre at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre would be named the Linda Buchan Centre for Breast Screening and Assessment.  Wow!  A wonderful tribute to a woman who believed in this event so much.
Linda never wanted the Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic to be about her. She wanted it to be about “making a difference to the lives of women in Northwestern Ontario.” Well, a difference has been made and her dream is continuing.

Sponsorship levels are listed on the Sponsors link. Our sponsors are recognized throughout the weekend of the bonspiel, in the local newspaper after the bonspiel and in our program. Every dollar raised helps!! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Susan Childs, at (807) 627-0444 (Cell) or through email at "hopeclassic@shaw.ca”