Ducks coaches and cancer survivors Sudarshan Maharaj and Mike Stothers have awarded a $25,000 grant as part of the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) 25th Giving Campaign in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC) initiative. Uniting the NHL family for a quarter-century, HFC has raised over $32 million and touched the lives of millions, offering support, raising awareness and standing with those affected by cancer.
The NHL and NHLPA partnered with members of the NHL family with direct connections to cancer to designate 10 grants of $25,000 each to local nonprofit organizations to further raise cancer awareness for research and to support patients in the community. Maharaj will donate $12,500 to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) during the organization’s PurpleStride Orange County 2024 at Honda Center on Saturday, April 27. Stothers will gift his portion to Ronald McDonald House® Orange County on Monday, April 29.
“Hockey Fights Cancer has been an incredibly powerful initiative since its inception 25 years ago and has continued to unite the hockey community in the battle against cancer,” said Anaheim Ducks Club President Aaron Teats. “Whatever your walk of life, cancer has affected us all. On behalf of all affected by this terrible disease within the Anaheim Ducks family, we stand with you in your fight. We are so proud of Sudsie and Stuts for sharing their stories of perseverance and taking the lead in our community to raise funds for research, increase awareness and inspire others who are battling.”
Ducks long-time goaltending coach and pancreatic cancer survivor Maharaj will be honored as the Survivor Speaker during PanCAN’s PurpleStride Orange County 2024 – the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer – on Saturday, April 27 at Honda Center, one of nearly 60 PanCAN walks taking place across the nation in honor of the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year. Maharaj will inspire and celebrate pancreatic cancer survivors, family members and supporters in attendance with a speech and check presentation during the Opening Ceremony at 9 a.m. The PurpleStride Orange County 2024 will officially begin at 9:30 a.m.
Ducks players, coaches and staff in addition to mascot Wild Wing, Power Players and Street Team members will be in attendance to support Maharaj and honor everyone affected by the disease. PurpleStride Orange County 2024 is open to the public, free of charge. For those interested in participating, visit PurpleStride.org/OC to register or donate. Survivors are encouraged to wear white while walkers and supporters are asked to wear purple.
Stothers, special advisor to the Ducks and San Diego Gulls coaches and survivor of Stage 3 Melanoma of the Lymph Node, will donate $12,500 to Ronald McDonald House® Orange County on Monday, April 29. Continuing the Ducks’ long relationship with Ronald McDonald House® Orange County, Stothers will be joined by Aaron Teats and other Ducks personnel for a tour of the newly expanded facility and check presentation. The tour is closed to the public. Those interested in supporting the Ronald McDonald House Orange County can visit RMHCSC.org/OrangeCounty to support or donate.
