Giving Voice to Cancer Month

The Kraken's Nov. 17 "Hockey Fights Cancer" home game presented by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health featured many opportunities for fans to connect with what can be done to defeat the disease. Before the game even started, Paul Klein delivered on three main messages intended for the night: Inspire all of us to get screened for early signs of cancer, celebrate survivorship, and raise funds to support ongoing and encouraging research.

For Klein, the night was a hockey dream come true. He was selected to be the guest national anthem singer, an aspiration for Klein from the first December day back in 2018 when the National Hockey League announced Seattle was granted an expansion franchise. Klein, a long-time personal trainer and recreational hockey player, emailed his credentials the very next day, offering his vocal services that included singing the anthem for years at the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds games.

So, when the Kraken and Founding Partner Virginia Mason Franciscan Health collaborated on activations for the November home game, the working group determined Klein was the right choice to inspire and inform. During a routine health appointment earlier this year, Klein's doctor recommended an ultrasound based on symptoms and an exam of Klein's throat and mouth.

"I was thinking to myself, 'Oh you know, it's probably no big deal,' " said Klein during a recent conversation. "But I finally got off the schneid in the middle of the summer, went in, and had it looked at."

The ultrasound prompted a biopsy, which showed cancer. By late summer, Klein was undergoing radiation five days and chemotherapy one day every week for seven weeks. It was a low period for the typically upbeat, can-do Klein.

He replayed the low point in his mind when during November, while visiting the Kraken website. Klein watched the "You Gotta Fight" video series presented by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health about Kraken TV analyst Eddie Olczyk, a colon cancer survivor. Klein noted there's a moment when Olczyk admits the rigors and demands of treatment almost led him to quit, only to have his wife, Diana, deliver the right words at the right time.

Part of the "You Gotta Fight" series was played on the Climate Pledge Arena Nov. 17 during a break in play. It clearly moved the fans, quieting the famed Seattle high-decibel noise long enough to absorb the emotions.

There were many touchpoints at the Kraken's home space that night: Chris Eugenio, a Virginia Mason Franciscan Health patient, visiting with Olczyk and Kraken play-by-play man John Forslund in the broadcast booth. Two patient stories were shared while patient Martin Gray was riding along pre-game as a passenger on one of the arena's all-electric Zambonis, then patient Michael Rusch doing the same during the second intermission. The Kraken players wearing special purple-and-white Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys auctioned off during the game for more than $48,000 to go toward the Kraken Hockey Fights Cancer Fund at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Foundation and cancer research.

Another video featured why Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer and Kraken creative director Drew Hamlet designed a special HFC goalie mask-and-helmet that at month's end was auctioned by raising $9,300 more in cancer research funding. Special HFC beanies were placed at every seat, along with a pre-game discussion between Virginia Mason Franciscan Health doctors and fans, a booth for writing your own "I Fight for _" cards and even a temporary tattoo both producing Kraken and HFC logos.

That was just on game night. Kraken players and mascot Buoy traveled to Virginia Mason Franciscan Health's St. Clare and St. Anne hospitals to connect with patients and staff. On Nov. 23, "Hockey Fights Cancer Day" across the NHL, 335 skaters donated money to cancer research while participating in a charity skate session at Kraken Community Iceplex.

"We are determined to help our region build communities where people live longer, healthier lives," said Ketul J. Patel, chief executive officer at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

"To support the effort, we are proud to partner with the Kraken on this important campaign this year, and for years to come, to educate fans about the importance of early cancer detection through annual wellness visits and regular screenings."

Klein did his part to evoke the spirit of overcoming cancer himself when he stepped to the microphone to sing our country's anthem before more than 17,000 fans, his biggest-ever audience. Before appearing in front of the crowd, Klein enjoyed a moment with his Virginia Mason Franciscan Health radiation oncologist, Dr. Amber Post. They hugged for "what felt like three minutes," said Klein, adding it was the first time he saw his doctor's face without the requisite mask worn by everyone in medical centers since the pandemic.

Soon after, Klein was singing the opening lines of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in a lower timbre than his usual voice but clearly in tune with the lyrics and full-house crowd. The fans gently sang along, amplifying Klein's lead and no doubt leaving some of us in tears, especially any of us who know Klein as a fellow recreational hockey player (goalie), personal training client, SEAHAC analytics conference attendee, and long-time Thunderbirds fan.
The crowd roared at the Klein's strong finish. There was another embrace, this time with Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke and then Klein exited the stage amid the applause.

"I was walking away from it, just trying to unpack what just happened," said Klein. "I mean, I got to see my radiation doctor's face for the first time. It was incredible to be there, then to feel all that love on the ice, it just overwhelmed me."

Klein's inspiring recovery from seven grueling weeks of treatment to stepping out before the Kraken home crowd was fueled by the support of his wife, Rebecca, and other loved ones, plus the vital encouragement of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health's speech therapist Alison Hirst. The patient and therapist started rebuilding Klein's voice after the radiation ended. The first step was proper swallowing, necessary for eating and regaining lost weight and strength before even thinking about singing.

Hirst, who has a keyboard in her office, customized the therapy plan by setting two appointments to focus solely on Klein singing the national anthem, including the first time since biopsy days on Nov. 2.

"She said, 'OK, let's sing the song," said Klein. "I was croaking. I felt like a frog. The notes weren't there. Alison did a wonderful job of just keeping me moving forward, just like everyone on my medical team had done before her. She helped keep my eye on the prize."