NEW YORK/TORONTO - Hockey Fights Cancer™, a joint initiative between the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), begins today. The 20th annual campaign, which has been uniting the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families since 1998, will feature special events, observances, and stories from people around the hockey community.
20th annual Hockey Fights Cancer initiative begins
Campaign will feature in-arena awareness nights by all 31 NHL teams
All 31 NHL Clubs will host a Hockey Fights Cancer awareness night in-arena, featuring lavender jerseys, dasherboards, decals on player helmets, and "I Fight For" cards. New this season, youth hockey teams across North America can host their own Hockey Fights Cancer awareness nights in their community rinks via the HFC Assist program. Hockey communities that sign up will receive a package including official helmet decals, lavender tape, "I Fight For" downloadable cards, and tips on how to engage their community to raise funds and awareness. Communities can register at
HockeyFightsCancer.com
.
Also new this season, Lauren Boyle - wife of New Jersey Devils forward Brian Boyle - has been named an official Hockey Fights Cancer ambassador. The trials of cancer are all too familiar for Lauren who has been a major support system for her husband. Brian was diagnosed in September 2017 with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer. NHL.com will publish special columns by Lauren this month detailing her personal experience, as well as an interview with her and last year's ambassador Nicholle Anderson, cancer survivor and wife of Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson.
Returning for a second consecutive season, esteemed national organizations American Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Society have partnered with Hockey Fights Cancer. The American Cancer Society operates 32 Hope Lodge facilities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, providing more than 5 million nights of lodging since 1984. In Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society operates seven lodges across the country, providing meals, accommodations, transportation, activities, and emotional support for hundreds of cancer patients each day.
For a sixth season, Hockey Fights Cancer is partnering with the Movember Foundation, focused on men's health. Fans are encouraged to get involved at
Monetwork.co/NHL
to support their favorite NHL team or player, or to raise money with family and friends. Fans also can donate to the page of legendary moustache owner George Parros, NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety and longtime supporter of the Movember Foundation.
Last year, donations in support of the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative provided more than 5,000 nights of lodging for patients and their families; transportation, including more than 15,000 rides to and from treatment facilities; telephone assistance, providing vital support services for patients and their caregivers; and pre- and post-treatment support for more than 1,300 men battling prostate cancer. Fans can continue to donate to the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative by visiting
HockeyFightsCancer.com
. Donations will aid cancer patients undergoing treatment as well as cancer care facilities.
On Friday, Nov. 9, NHL Network™ will host a Hockey Fights Cancer night in-studio across NHL Now™, NHL Tonight™ and On The Fly™. Throughout the month, NHL Network personalities will wear official merchandise (including ties and pins), the in-studio demonstration rink will feature lavender tape, and programming will include Hockey Fights Cancer stories from across the NHL. Fans also can tune-in to Hockey Fights Cancer national broadcasts on Sportsnet, Saturday, Nov. 3 (TBL @ MTL, 7 p.m. ET) and NBCSN, Tuesday, Nov. 6 (EDM @ TBL, 7:30 p.m. ET).
Also returning this season, as part of its Every Save Counts™ initiative, Cigna will donate $1 for every save made during the NHL regular season and playoffs, and will match donations of $25 or more by U.S. donors made online at HockeyFightsCancer.com, subject to a maximum of $100,000.
Fans can get involved and share their stories using the official hashtag #HockeyFightsCancer and by visiting the official website to download an "I Fight For" card. Merchandise is available at shop.nhl.com.
