Eurolanche

Avs supports Hockey Fights Cancer

The Colorado Avalanche joins in the NHL / NHLPA annual Hockey Fights Cancer initiative to honor those in the hockey community who have struggled or continue to struggle with the disease. 

The annual campaign, scheduled in October of each year, is supported by all NHL teams.  Each club designates one home game as its Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night.  Tonight’s contest between the Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks at Pepsi Center is the Avalanche’s designated Hockey Fights Cancer game. 

“This effort combines the resources and commitment of the NHL, our member clubs, players, officials, as well as key partners, and reflects our collective dedication to help find resources and exposure to eradicate the disease,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Colorado Avalanche support includes:

Oct. 19 Break the Ice – Approximately 30 cancer patients and their siblings from The Children’s Hospital Colorado joined Avalanche forwards Peter Mueller and Paul Stastny, along with Avalanche Mascot Bernie, for a skating clinic at Pepsi Center.  In addition to skating instruction, the children and players participated in a Flashes of Hope photo session. Here is the video.

Oct. 20 Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks at Pepsi Center has been designated as the Avalanche Hockey Fights Cancer game.  Special activities at the game include:

Youth Skaters – Fourteen-year-old twins Michael and Marina Karas from Parker, Colo., will participate as the Avalanche Youth Skaters.  Michael and Marina play competitive hockey for the Littleton Hockey Association and Colorado Girls Select Hockey Association.  Their father and coach, Jeff, was recently diagnosed with CLL Leukemia and is undergoing treatments.   The Karas twins were selected to participate as the Avalanche Youth Skaters by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – an official Hockey Fights Cancer partner of the NHL.

Avalanche Coaching Staff and Broadcasters will wear the official Vineyard Vines Hockey Fights Cancer lavender (which represents all cancers) necktie during the game.  Throughout the month, all players are wearing a Hockey Fights Cancer decal on their helmets.

Atrium Lighting – The Grand Atrium lobby will be lit in lavender throughout the game.

Zamboni – Pregame and during intermissions, representatives from Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and patients from Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian St. Luke’s will climb aboard the Avalanche Zamboni for a special in-arena salute. 

Cancer Organizations represented at the game include:  Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Cancer League of Colorado, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Teen with a Dream Foundation, Shining Stars Foundation, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  These organizations will be providing cancer screening and patient service information as well as having their supporters at the game.

Item of the Game - Avs fans will have the opportunity to support the Love, Hope Strength Foundation by purchasing a commemorative Hockey Fights Cancer t-shirt at the game.  A portion of each sale benefits LHS Foundation. 

Check presentation- Pregame, Avalanche assistant captain Milan Hejduk will present a $2,500 check to the Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation.  The check represents funds raised by the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer efforts in 2010.

Quality Time – A group of children and families from Brent’s Place in Aurora, (a place which offers families hope and healing when their children are being treated for life threatening cancer) will be guests at the game courtesy of Kroenke Sports Charities and the Colorado Beef Council.  Since its inception, Brent’s Place has remained the only hospital approved a “Safe-Clean” housing facility for immune compromised patients and their families, providing a living environment that is essential to healing and recovery.

Hashtag – During the Avalanche vs. Blackhawks game, @avalanche Twitter followers can promote Hockey Fights Cancer and help raise money for cancer research by using #GoAvsGo in their tweets.  For each Hashtag mention posted during the game (from puck drop to final buzzer), the Avalanche and Kroenke Sports Charities will make a $1 donation to selected organizations providing cancer research and support services.

-Avalanche Press Release-