[13] Schmirler threw fourth stones for a team which consisted of 1979 Canadian Junior Champions Denise Wilson (skip), Dianne Choquette and Shannon Olafson.

After graduating university, Schmirler moved to Regina to take a job at the North West Leisure Centre.

[18] The following season, the team lost in the A-B final of the 1988 provincials to Michelle Schneider (now Englot), eliminating them from a chance at a second straight trip to the Hearts.

[8][21] This rink won the provincials in their first year together, defeating Kim Armbruster (Hodson) in the Saskatchewan final, 5–3.

[5][23] In 1993, the Schmirler rink again won the provincial title, defeating Sherry Scheirich (Middaugh) in the final, 7–2.

The team finished first in the round robin, and defeated Connie Laliberte in the final to clinch a second consecutive Canadian championship.

She and her team then represented Canada at the World Women's Curling Championship, where they finished first in the round robin.

She then advanced to the playoffs, and won the semifinal against Josefine Einsle of Germany and the final against Christine Cannon of Scotland.

With her win in the final, she and her team clinched their second world championships, equalling their run from the previous season.

They advanced to the playoffs, and defeated Alison Goring of Ontario twice en route to winning her third Canadian championship.

After finishing the round robin in first place with six wins and one loss,[8][36] Canada played their semifinal game against Great Britain's Kirsty Hay.

[5][8][32] After returning from the Olympics, Schmirler and her rink had to compete almost immediately in the Scott Tournament of Hearts as Team Canada.

When this information was revealed to reporters at the Scott Tournament of Hearts, they jokingly dubbed her "Schmirler the Hurler".

[55] Almost a month after being diagnosed with cancer, doctors finally provided a specific diagnosis – metastatic adenocarcinoma, with an unknown primary site.

"[56] In addition to chemotherapy and radiation, Schmirler explored orthomolecular medicine through the Canadian Cancer Research Group.

[56] In 2000, Schmirler worked as colour commentator for CBC during Canada's national junior curling championships.

In speaking publicly about her ordeal for the first time, Schmirler spared few details about what she had gone through, while also expressing her hope for the future: "There were three goals I had coming out of this thing, and the first one was to look after my family.

"[58] After returning from Moncton, Schmirler felt physically well, but suffered a setback when a CAT scan revealed spots around her lungs.

[61] She died in her sleep at the Pasqua Hospital Palliative Care Unit[5] on the morning of March 2, 2000, at age 36.

But what really set her apart was her bright, engaging personality and her incredible zest for life, qualities that were so clearly in evidence as she fought so valiantly against her illness.

CBC also broadcast the service, marking the first time a Canadian athlete's funeral had been televised live on two networks.

[9][64] The Brier was just getting underway and games in the afternoon draw were delayed[65] to allow curlers and fans to watch the funeral, which was broadcast on screens at the rink.

[66] Regina's Agridome and Schmirler's home Caledonian Curling Club also opened to show the funeral.

[71] Along with the other members of her rink, she had been previously awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Regina.

The lives of countless babies born premature and critically ill have been, and continue to be saved, with life-saving equipment the Foundation has funded in her name.

Millions of dollars have been given to hospital NICUs in every province, the Yukon and Northwest Territories to fund life-saving equipment for babies born too soon, too small or too sick.

While we mourn her passing, we celebrate the lasting legacy she left behind.” Robin Wilson On January 7, 2009, Sandra was named the winner of the 2009 World Curling Freytag Award (later incorporated into the WCF Hall of Fame).

The award, named after American Elmer Freytag, who founded the World Curling Federation, honours curlers for championship play, sportsmanship, character and extraordinary achievement.