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A Saskatchewan hockey coach and firefighter is sharing a heartfelt message of thanks after a community fundraiser to help his family with expenses after his cancer diagnosis brought in nearly $100,000.
Jay Ott, who is better known in the Lumsden area as “Coach Jay,” has been deeply involved in the Lumsden Lynx and Grrrowl hockey programs for years, and also spends time coaching on the local ball diamonds. But things took a turn for Ott at the start of August, when he was diagnosed with stage-three throat and neck cancer.
“Coach Jay” doing what he does best with some of his young hockey players, coaching. (Shauna Karakochuk/YouTube)
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Ott, according to the fundraiser, is now undergoing radiation treatments and chemotherapy, and had a recent scare with an infection that left him hospitalized for nine days.
Shauna Karakochuk, who organized the fundraiser, said in addition to being a coach, Ott is a long-serving firefighter with Regina Fire & Protective Services and has been actively involved in a number of charities, including the creation of the Regina Firefighters Charities and Benevolence Committee.
Jay Ott was diagnosed with stage-three throat and neck cancer at the start of August. (Shauna Karakochuk/YouTube)
“A mentor to many, Jay is someone who you can ask for advice about life, anything you’re struggling with, the job, a home renovation, or how to make a proper Caesar salad (legitimately, it’s the best you’ll ever have),” Shauna Karakochuk wrote.
She said the online fundraiser is meant to allow Ott’s partner Kim the chance to take time off work in order to support him, and to ensure their daughter Jaycee has all the support she needs.
“Your donation helps take away some of the stress they are under so they can focus on keeping life as normal as possible for Jacee, focus on Jay’s treatment and focus on being together as a family,” Karakochuk explained.
The fundraiser quickly gained steam, and as of Wednesday morning had brought in $97,201 from 649 donors.
In a video message, Ott shared his thanks to everyone who chipped in.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for everything – the messages, the prayers, the thoughts and now the money,” he said.
Jay Ott with his wife, Kim and their daughter Jacee. (Shauna Karakochuk/YouTube)
But while the funds will go a long way toward helping his family, Ott said it’s difficult for him to accept the donations.
“It feels good, but it’s hard. It’s hard to take the help. It’s hard to take people’s money,” Ott said.
“As bad as we might have it right now, I know people have it so much worse than we do. But I also know the importance of rallying, and what that can do for people as they’re hurting. And I know that they’re hurting for their own reasons, and I know that they’re hurting for their own reasons for me, and I also know what rallying is doing for me and my family, so we will do our best to accept this help. We know we need it. I won’t be going back to work for a very long time.”
Ott said it’s sometimes hard for him to read the many messages of support he’s received since making his diagnosis public.
“I’m not saying that to deter you and ask you to stop, because it is inspiring and it is healthy, and I know that it’s healthy also for people to be sending those messages, and I read every single one,” he said. “I read a lot of them twice, probably three times.”
Ott is passionate about championing female hockey. Earlier in 2025, the Lumsden Lynx hosts Female Hockey Day to celebrate young women and girls in sports. (Shauna Karakochuk/YouTube)
The treatment he’s undergoing isn’t easy, Ott said, but he promised to fight as hard as he possibly can.
“It hurts. The treatment’s already kicking in. My wind isn’t there. My muscle endurance isn’t great, but I know how healthy and how important this is for me, so I’m going to suck it up,” Ott said.
“I’ve got a lot of promises I’ve got to keep, none more than to my family and myself, but a lot of young girls that I coach have asked me to put up the best fight possible that I can, so I will, and then some. Through pain, through sadness, through sorrow, whatever it is, I will make sure to put my best foot forward and stay as positive as I can.”
