Hockey Fights Cancer Night What's Happening

Founded in 1998 by the
National Hockey League
and the NHL Players' Association,
Hockey Fights Cancer
™ (HFC) unites the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families. The initiative gets an assist from players, coaches, officials, equipment managers, front office staff, corporate partners, and fans. Together, the hockey family looks to inspire hope and courage for those who are living with, going through, and moving past cancer. November is Hockey Fights Cancer Month across the NHL with each of the 32 clubs celebrating their own HFC Night. On Thursday, November 17, the Sharks will host their official Hockey Fights Cancer Night presented by
Kaiser Permanente.
Every fan in attendance of the game will receive a lavender rally towel which will be used for a celebratory moment later in the evening to honor those who have battled or defeated cancer.

During warm-ups, Sharks players will wear white and lavender HFC jerseys which will be
auctioned
by the
Sharks Foundation
from November 16-18, 5PM PT, raising funds for
Cancer CAREpoint
. Additionally, some Sharks players will use lavender stick tape during warm-ups to signify their support of the campaign. A selection of those sticks will be
auctioned
by the Sharks Foundation from November 25-27, 5PM PT, with net proceeds benefiting
Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area
. Fans can preview items or place a bid in either auction by texting SHARKS to 76278 or visiting
www.Sharks.GiveSmart.com
.

The Sharks Foundation will also be selling custom lavender T-shirts at their booth on the Concourse outside Section 118 while supplies last to raise funds
for Kids & Art Foundation
. A select number of tees are also available for online purchase
here
. Additionally, their
50/50 Raffle
presented by
Cache Creek Casino Resort
will benefit the
American Cancer Society's
(ACS)
ResearcHERS
program. This initiative shines a light on the incredible discoveries made by women and empowers women leaders to support ACS's national research program which funds some of the brightest female minds in cancer research. The raffle will offer special pricing: 98 tickets for $40 in honor of the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative's 1998 inception.
The evening will feature a recap video from a November 9 event at which the Sharks Foundation and Kaiser Permanente provided a $20,000
Community Assist Grant
to Aptos non-profit
Teen Kitchen Project
. The grant funding will provide more than 1,500 meals leading up to or on Thanksgiving Day, to 110 senior citizens with a cancer diagnosis living in Santa Cruz County. At the event, members of Team Teal packaged meals, baked cookies, and handwrote 150 care cards for the seniors.

Pre-game, five youth being treated at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara for various forms of pediatric cancer will be recognized as they join the Sharks starting line-up on the blueline:

Additionally, nine-year-old Layla Malone, daughter of Sharks Director, Business Intelligence Tim Malone, will drop the ceremonial puck in honor of her battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). On September 1, 2020, Layla was diagnosed with ALL at the age of seven. Thanks to the support of many, and in conjunction with the
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
, Layla has raised more than $6,000 to go toward lifesaving pediatric cancer research and family support services. Layla received her last doses of chemo from Kaiser Permanente on November 9 and formally rings the bell on November 21! Layla will be joined by Tim, her mom Joy, her brother Mason, and little sister Camryn to drop the puck. Be in your seats early so you can catch the recap video of Layla attending a Sharks practice with her family and hear Tim's account on how the Malone family has come together in support of Layla throughout her incredible journey.
The Sharks Community Relations team will be hosting nine-year-old Alexander who was diagnosed with Stage 3 B-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma on May 28, 2021. This type of cancer affects 40 kids per year in the United States and Alexander's treatment at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara is estimated to take 2.5 years with an anticipated end date of October 2023. While he continues treatment and receives services from
JW House
, he has been medically cleared to go back to school in person as a fourth grader, a big milestone as he has not been in the classroom since first grade due to Covid and cancer. Alexander just started soccer and looks forward to playing baseball, basketball, football, taekwondo and tennis. He is a true sports fanatic and has dreams to become a professional athlete! Despite the intense and frequent treatments involved with his battle, he remains strong, brave, funny, and resilient. On HFC Night, Alexander will participate in the
NHLOA Zebras Care program
where he will meet with the referees pre-game, and also gets to ride the Zamboni during the 2nd Intermission.
Throughout the game you will see lavender throughout the arena which is the official color of the HFC initiative. Sharks corporate partners have all agreed to have their logos turned into the signature color on the rink dasher boards for the game. Coaches and broadcasters will wear custom ribbons and Sharks front office members will don HFC pins. The
Coca-Cola Tank Patrol
and Ice Team will add lavender touches to their typical game day uniforms.
S.J. Sharkie
will be in HFC gear and has been busy collecting the names of cancer warriors which will be showcased on a giant "I Fight For" card during the game! Aramark specials include lavender popcorn and the "Save of the Game" which offers 20% off past HFC apparel (excluding jerseys and headwear). The
Sharks Pro Shop
and merchandise stands throughout the arena will have Hockey Fights Cancer pins for sale. Post-game, pediatric cancer patients and their guest will be treated to a meet-and-greet with the players to end the evening on an inspiring note.
To join us for the November 17 Hockey Fights Cancer game presented by Kaiser Permanente, purchase tickets by clicking
here
!