Photo: @CapitalsPR
Every year in the early part of the NHL season, each team participates in Hockey Fights Cancer. This special initiative raises awareness towards those battling this terrible disease. There’s Hockey Fights Cancer month and Hockey Fights Cancer night. For the Capitals, this special night comes on Thursday, Nov. 2.
RELEASE: Capitals to Participate in Hockey Fights Cancer Campaign., host Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night Supported by Leidos Tuesday, Nov. 2. https://t.co/yrI8vLaha5 pic.twitter.com/AffwoLAxIA
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 25, 2017
FROM THE CAPITALS
The Washington Capitals are teaming up with the National Hockey League and FORTUNE 500® science and technology company Leidos in November to educate the hockey community about cancer through Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month. Hockey Fights Cancer is a league-wide initiative founded by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association and is dedicated to raising awareness for national and local organizations involved in cancer care and research.
The Capitals will host Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night supported by Leidos during the game against the New York Islanders on Tuesday Nov. 2, as well as throughout the month. Highlights include:
Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night In-Game Activities
The Capitals Nov. 2 Hockey Fights Cancer Night will feature a special flag tunnel, video vignettes and a ceremonial puck drop, among other tributes.
11-year-old Bethesda, Md., native and local wish kid Dariush Namin will participate in the puck drop. As part of his wish experience, Namin will watch practice and meet the team on Nov. 1, watch warmups from the Capitals bench on Nov. 2 and attend practice on Nov. 3. Namin was diagnosed with leukemia in 2016 and is currently in active treatment.
Fans will be asked to show their support for those fighting cancer by holding up “I Fight For” signs during a designated timeout, as well as by sharing their stories on social media platforms by using the #CapsFightCancer hashtag.
Players will wear lavender warmup jerseys and helmets adorned with a Hockey Fights Cancer decal, while coaches and broadcast personalities will wear lavender ties. Goaltenders will wear Hockey Fights Cancer-themed masks. Lavender is the official color of the Hockey Fights Cancer campaign, as it represents all forms of cancer.
All proceeds from Capitals mobile seat upgrades platform from the Nov. 2 (New York Islanders), Nov. 6 (Arizona Coyotes) and Nov. 20 (Calgary Flames) games will benefit the Capitals’ Hockey Fights Cancer beneficiaries. To upgrade seats for any Capitals game select ‘Seat Upgrades’ in the ‘Tickets’ section of the Washington Capitals Mobile App.
MSE Foundation Auction
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) Foundation is hosting an auction featuring signed lavender jerseys worn during warmups on Nov. 2; autographed, used hockey sticks with lavender tape; signed, limited-edition Hockey Fights Cancer pucks; two Hockey Fights Cancer-themed and autographed goalie masks worn during Hockey Fights Cancer Night; a team-signed Hockey Fights Cancer practice jersey; and a team-signed lavender Hockey Fights Cancer flag.
The limited edition Hockey Fights Cancer themed purple goalie masks were designed and painted by Dave Gunnarsson of DaveArt. The masks are one of a kind and based on the original designs each goaltender has on his current mask for the season, with the official Hockey Fights Cancer logo incorporated.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit Flashes of Hope, Hope for Henry, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Fans interested in bidding will need to download the Handbid app on their iPhone and Android devices or online at https://washcaps.com/hfc-auction.
Bidding begins at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 31 and will conclude during the second intermission of the Capitals game versus the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, Nov. 30. The items will be on display at the MSE Foundation table located outside of suites 210/211 at the Caps games on Nov. 2 and Nov. 30.
In addition, fans can purchase custom-made lavender T-shirts in honor of #CapsFightCancer online, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the campaigns beneficiaries. Hockey Fights Cancer pins also will be available for purchase at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex Team Store and online through the auction.
Hockey Fights Cancer Skate
The Capitals will host a Hockey Fights Cancer skate with Flashes of Hope, Hope for Henry, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Friday, Nov. 3.
Hospital Visit
On Monday, Nov. 27, the 2017-18 Washington Capitals team will visit young patients at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Players will divide into groups and visit the art therapy room and oncology units.
October Saves
As part of Hockey Fights Cancer, Capitals goaltenders Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer participated in October Saves throughout the month of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The funds raised through October Saves will benefit pediatric and women’s cancer research organizations along with the October Saves Scholarship Fund in partnership with The Goalie Guild. For more information visit www.octobersaves.org.
Microsite
For more information on Hockey Fights Cancer, visit WashingtonCaps.com/HockeyFightsCancer beginning Nov. 1.
About Hockey Fights Cancer
Hockey Fights Cancer is an initiative founded in December 1998 by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association to raise money and awareness for hockey’s most important fight. To date, through the NHL’s U.S. and Canadian charitable foundations, more than $16 million has been raised under the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative to support national and local cancer research institutions, children’s hospitals, player charities and local cancer organizations. The Hockey Fights Cancer program is also a component of the NHL’s “Biggest Assist Happens Off the Ice” campaign – the League’s long-standing tradition of addressing important social issues in North America and around the world.
The Hockey Fights Cancer program is supported by NHL Member Clubs, NHL Alumni, the NHL Officials’ Association, Professional Hockey Trainers and Equipment Managers, corporate marketing partners, broadcast partners and fans throughout North America.
About Flashes of Hope
Flashes of Hope is a nonprofit organization that raises money for pediatric cancer research and changes the way children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses see themselves through the gift of photography. The goal of Flashes of Hope is to photograph every child until every child is cured. MSE Foundation and the Capitals established the D.C. chapter of Flashes of Hope and also support the Northern Virginia chapter.
About Hope for Henry
Hope for Henry is reinventing how hospitals care for seriously ill children and their families through innovative programs that entertain, reduce stress and empower children to be active participants in their own care. Since 2003, Hope for Henry has improved the lives of more than 16,000 kids and families at Children’s National, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and other hospitals around the country.
About Leidos
Leidos is a Fortune 500® science and technology solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company’s 32,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $7.04 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2016. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.
About the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS exists to find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients. We are the voice for all blood cancer patients and we work to ensure access to treatments for all blood cancer patients. For more information visit http://www.lls.org/.
About Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic®
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic serves children who reside in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Founded in 1983, the organization has granted more than 9,500 wishes in the Mid-Atlantic region since its inception. This year alone, 840 local children are expected to be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. However, for every wish granted, at least one more local child is waiting. The community has the opportunity to make an impact today by helping Make-A-Wish to reach hundreds of kids whose wishes would go otherwise go unanswered this year. For more information, please visit: www.midatlantic.wish.org.
About Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase survival for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer Survival by 2020. To continue to accelerate progress, a goal to raise $200 million by 2020 is also in place. For more information visit https://www.pancan.org/.
Cancer is a horrible diseases and is the greatest fight that anyone can endure. Many people have lost their lives too soon while others were brave enough and defeated it. This event, along with others league wide will help honor those brave people that had this tough battle.
It’s great seeing professional sports leagues take initiatives such as these to spread awareness. The NFL does it every October with pink cleats, socks, hats etc for breast cancer awareness. The MLB does pink bats and uniforms for breast cancer on Mother’s Day and light blue bats and uniforms for Father’s Day. NBA teams hold various cancer awareness nights throughout the season.
Preview. #CapsFightCancer pic.twitter.com/uP4GygftDW
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) October 25, 2017
For all Caps fans battling this disease, know you’re not alone and that we’re all praying for you as you educe this fight.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
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