Plymouth Whalers Spread Good Cheer, Encouragement at Karmanos Cancer Institute

Photo by Pete Krupsky - From left. Plymouth Whalers Danny Vanderwiel, Gianluca Curcuruto, KCI’s Joan Livingstone and Plymouth’s Connor Sills.

DETROIT - The Plymouth Whalers and Windsor Spitfires have forged a bitter, often emotional rivalry that is now 25 years long.

The rivalry is far-reaching and even found its way on Tuesday into the humane and caring environment that is the Barbara Ann Karmanos Institute in Detroit.

Plymouth Whalers Gianluca Curcuruto, Connor Sills and Danny Vanderwiel were visiting cancer patients and care givers today at KCI when MDT Coordinator Joan Livingston left her work station to confront the Whalers, who were wearing their unique pink jerseys designed especially for Saturday’s seventh annual Pink Out at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena.

“Plymouth Whalers?? I saw you last Thursday in Windsor,” said Livingstone. “I’m a Spitfires season ticket holder and live in Windsor. It’s a little surprising to see the Whalers here today.”

The Whalers beat Windsor, 1-0, last Thursday at Windsor Family Credit Centre.

The good natured by-play with a Spitfires fan didn’t hinder the Whalers from their completed rounds, or from taking a group shot with Livingstone.

The Plymouth-Windsor rivalry was put aside for a better reason, as Alex Nedeljkovic, Mitch Jones, Francesco Vilardi, Curcuruto, Sills and Vanderwiel spent a couple of quality hours passing out snacks, drinks and good Whaler cheers to cancer parents and their loved ones.

It’s not easy receiving or waiting for treatment in any hospital, but the Whalers did their part to assist, with a kind word here, a snack there and maybe a group photo with a word of encouragement to patients.

The Whalers, in turn, were encouraged by many of the people they met to keep up the good work.

“It’s great what these boys are doing,” said Jill Madrie, as husband Peter was receiving cancer treatment. “I’m impressed with the way they carry themselves.”

When Danny Vanderwiel met Sharon Hodgson in her room for a quick word, Ms. Hodgson was so impressed with the Whalers she asked for tickets to Saturday’s Pink out game.

“No problem at all,” said Vanderwiel.

The Whalers brought a positive vibe to KCI on a rainy Tuesday.

“On top of all the wonderful things that the Whalers do, there’s nothing that brings more awareness than a shock-out, like pink hair on these guys,” said Christina Venditti, Third Party Events Coordinator of KCI. “The patients at KCI love to see the Whalers. It’s not something out of the norm – it’s fun, they’re getting snacks from the guys and they’re athletes with cool hair.

“It does bring a little bit of joy to patients who may be in a rough situation.”

KCI is also busy in October, with 65 breast-cancer themed events planned over 31 days.

Meanwhile, the Whalers will turn into waiters on Wednesday from 5:30-7:30pm at CJ’s Brewing Company at Compuware Arena, with a tips donated to KCI.

On Thursday the Whalers (6-6-1-0) – in pink hair – travel to Erie (11-0-0-1) to take on the top-rated Otters at 7 pm at Erie Insurance Arena (7 pm, 88.1FM WSDP).

Livingstone had the last word as the Whalers prepared to leave KCI after a job well done.

‘I’m happy to see the Whalers today,” she said. “The London Knights? That’s a different story.”