Mikael Backlund is Raising Money for Child Cancer Research

[The Swedish Flame]

A story about Mikael Backlund in Swedish about how he's raising money for Barncancerfonden (Literally "Child Cancer Fund") this summer.

Barncancerfonden is an organization that raises money in order to provide funds for cancer research and treatment for children in Sweden. It provides about 90% of all the funds for child cancer research in Sweden (according to their Wiki-entry at least).

This summer they're arranging something called "Ride for Hope", a bicycle-event over nine days and 1250km. Part of the route goes through Västerås, where Mikael Backlund grew up and spends part of his summer. He's going to join in on the bicycle race when it goes through town and set up his own fundraiser online at their website.

From the article (I'll translate it for you!):

"After having worked with charity during his NHL-seasons in Calgary Mikael Backlund wanted to do something similar back home in Sweden. He started to raise funds on behalf of Barncancerfonden and has raised close to 140 000 SEK in just a few days."

"I didn't dare to dream on raising this much. It makes one happy on the inside, Backlund says to Hockeysverige.se"

"Backlund has recently experienced the dark sides of cancer himself. He recently lost the close friend Victory Engström, professional floorball player in Västerås, to cancer. Engström passed away last week merely 24 years old and his struggle against cancer inspired Backlund to work even harder in order to support charity and research related to cancer."

The article also goes on to talk a little bit about how he's had to raise the goal of his fundraising several times because he kept meeting his goal. Also mentions that he's done charity work in Calgary as well.

(140k SEK is about 21-22k Canadian Dollars)

[FBI]

Love this guy

[you got PHANUEFED]

Good for him, Its a great cause and just shows he's starting to mature I really would like to see him sign in Calgary on a 4 year deal.

[Mass_nerder]

Even if he never develops more of an offensive game than he has now, he's a great player to have on the team. He has a great attitude, and seems like a good character guy.

[Muta]

Classy kid. Glad he's here, we need more of that type of character on this team.

[Psytic]

I feel this is his year assuming he doesn't get injured. I think the injuries have set back his development by a yr or two. I am really rooting for him to achieve his potential.

[StrykerSteve]

Backlund's awesome.

[Bourque's Twin]

I think he should be wearing an "A".

[tempz]

If I donate through the Swedish link is my credit card company going to to assume a Swedish prostitute stole my wallet?

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by tempz

If I donate through the Swedish link is my credit card company going to to assume a Swedish prostitute stole my wallet?

Try explaining that... again.

[Knut]

Likely need a Swedish ID number to purchase anything through Sweden. I remember having to buy a book from Amazon UK while there as Amazon SE required a Swedish number

[tempz]

Would anyone else be interested in donating some cash to help sick Swedish kids? I spent a summer backpacking through Sweden 4-5 years ago. It was a really good summer and I'm worried some of these sick kids might be mine.

All joking aside it would be a nice gesture if we could get him to setup a link we could donate to. Then we could show our guy some support. Maybe someone could use twitter to ask him? Then we could get some of the bigger names in Calgary sports with lots of followers to retweet the donation link?

[The Swedish Flame]

Originally Posted by tempz

Would anyone else be interested in donating some cash to help sick Swedish kids? I spent a summer backpacking through Sweden 4-5 years ago. It was a really good summer and I'm worried some of these sick kids might be mine.

All joking aside it would be a nice gesture if we could get him to setup a link we could donate to. Then we could show our guy some support. Maybe someone could use twitter to ask him? Then we could get some of the bigger names in Calgary sports with lots of followers to retweet the donation link?

I tweeted at him asking how foreign donors would go about donating.

[Bezer]

I had a chance to meet him and girlfriend while at the gym.. heck of a guy. Following him on twitter he also comes off as very sincere. He is a quality guy and guy that the Flames need. Don't give up on him just yet.

[The Swedish Flame]

He tweeted back and essentially said that he doesn't know of any way for foreign donors to donate since it's all in Swedish. Sorry guys!