Loyal Flames fan gets trip of a lifetime to see her favorite team

CALGARY – Hockey is her favorite sport and the Calgary Flames are her favorite team.

But Brenda Macfarlane doesn’t live in Calgary, she lives thousands of kilometres away in the town of Baddeck, Nova Scotia.

MacFarlane fell in love with the Flames in 1981, when fellow Cape Bretoner, Al MacInnis, joined the team.

Her cousin in Calgary is flying her to the city in February to see her favorite team on the ice. Even more special is that the day of the game will be her 40^th birthday.

“I remember being with Brenda and if there was a Flames game on, no matter what she was doing she was getting home for it and she’s just funny,” said her cousin Kat Macaulay.

MacFarlane, who has spina bifida, has not been on a flight in 16 years.

“When I was born, my back was open so my spine was exposed.”

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“You would go visit her in the hospital and you would never know that she was in there and that she was going through such a challenging experience that no one can comprehend,” said Macaulay.

“She’s just one of those people, she’s so loyal and friendships are so important to her.”

It’s that loyalty that has inspired several companies—including the Calgary Flames – to help cover some of Brenda’s travel costs.