Ottawa Senators alumni take the ice for pancreatic cancer research fundraiser launched by Sindy Hooper

The former NHLers will face off against a team of doctors from The Ottawa Hospital

File photo: Sindy Hooper, shown here with husband, Jonathan, and their dog Lexey, has stage IV pancreatic cancer. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

Ottawa Senators alumni will face off against a team of doctors from The Ottawa Hospital in the latest fundraising effort launched by former human resources manager Sindy Hooper.

Hooper, 60, is furiously raising money for pancreatic cancer research while in the terminal stage of the disease.

Doctors have given her only months to live, but Hooper is using the time she has left to provide hope for others with pancreatic cancer, which is among the deadliest forms of the disease.

“It is a type of cancer that not many people know the true, grim reality of,” Hooper said in a video made to promote the charity hockey game, which takes place April 23 at the Bell Sensplex in Kanata.

Those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive for an average of six months since the disease is usually in an advanced state by the time it’s discovered. Most patients (75 per cent) will die within the first year. The five-year survival rate is just 10 per cent.

Hooper, an accomplished Ironman competitor and triathlete, has defied those statistics while continuing to take part in her favourite sports.

She has lived with pancreatic cancer for more than a decade. Last September, however, she learned her cancer had spread to her lung, spine and rib. It means there are no more treatments available other than palliative chemotherapy.

“I have lived a rare, long fight against this brutal disease,” Hooper said, “and I feel I must raise awareness about it because the sad truth is that those who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer often don’t have the time to raise awareness.

“I have also made it my mission to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research that I hope one day will lead to a cure.”

Next month, she’s leading a team of runners and walkers — they call themselves the Make Every Moment Count team — in the Run for a Reason event during Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend (May 27-28). The team has already raised $98,000 for pancreatic cancer research at The Ottawa Hospital.

In the past nine years, Hooper’s team has raised more than $370,000 for that cause.

Former Ottawa Senators enforcer Chris Neil, whose jersey number was retired in a ceremony earlier this year, will lead the Senators alumni onto the ice in their game against the doctors. Neil played more than 1,000 games for the Senators and holds the franchise record for penalty minutes (2,522).

Hooper’s husband, Dr. Jon Hooper, and hospital CEO Cameron Love will lead The Ottawa Hospital team.

All funds raised from the game will go towards pancreatic research.