Hockey Fights Cancer

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Sunday marked our annual Hockey Fights Cancer awareness game and what a game it was. 

Doug Warf

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This year we hosted an additional three groups, increasing from 6 cancer organizations last year to 9 groups this year.  Throughout the day there were great opportunities to highlight the organizations and their missions. 

However, the one thing I heard from many groups is how important it is for others battling Cancer to have a support group.  Several groups told me that numerous people came to their concourse locations to talk about their personal fights against Cancer and how great it was to network with other people in the same battle. 

I also wanted to give a little more information on some of the people you might have seen yesterday.

Sandy Oehler, the “siren sounder”, for yesterday’s game is a lung cancer survivor.  She and her husband and son were able to get the game started on the right foot with a great siren…though they asked her to go a little long.  Sandy now works for the NC Lung Partnership and is the organizer for Raleigh’s Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5K.  Raleigh’s Free to Breathe 5K is being held this Saturday, November 8th on NC State’s Centennial Campus.  Click here for more information on this great fundraiser.

Mason Park sang the Star Spangled Banner yesterday.  Mason is a 12-year-old Triangle Resident who has become a big fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  In the past two years he has raised over $20,000…obviously a tremendous total for one person (especially one without a ‘Canes related 5K).  As expected, Mason did a great job with the anthem, just as he did for the LLS Light the Night Walk in Raleigh.

David and Carolyn from I’m Too Young For This rode the Olympias during the second intermission.  They were both sporting one of my favorite T-shirts that simply reads “Stupid Cancer” with their web address below.  I’m Too Young for This is only about 18 months old nationwide and is only a few months old in the Triangle.  Carolyn and David have done a great job getting it off the ground and gaining recognition for their organization which is essentially a support group for young adults with Cancer.

When meeting a few weeks ago with David and Carolyn, they both told stories about their doctor visits that I had not thought about.  When David went for his first treatments, he had to go to the Duke Children’s Hospital.  He was nearly 20 years older than all of the other patients.  However, at other oncology centers, he is 20-30 years younger than other patients.  “I’m Too Young for This” allows young adults with Cancer the chance to share stories with other young adults battling the tough disease.  They mentioned how inspiring it is to talk with other people similar in age with similar obstacles and challenges. 

Skate With the Canes
Just an update, we have sold about 250 of the 300 tickets allotted today for Season Ticket Holders.  Whatever is not sold today will be included in tomorrow’s general on-sale which begins at 10AM EST at all Ticketmaster locations.  A BIG thanks to everyone who bought tickets today…our Kids ‘N Community Foundation is very grateful for your support.

Other Events this Week
Be sure to check out the Cool Bars this week in Wake Forest.  The Carolina Ale House is by far the single biggest corporate contributor to our Kids ‘N Community Foundation.  That trend will continue this Thursday as they will announce a new program that will partner us together for all of their gift card sales during the holidays.  I will update more after Thursday’s Cool Bar against our division rivals from the north.

Also, we are currently working out the details, but we hope to have a presence at “Kid’s Day” at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.  I will not spoil it yet, but barring any changes this week, a Hurricane much cooler than me (not hard to do) will be at the Food Bank this Saturday to deliver our check from the Kids ‘N Community Foundation and kick-off our partnership with their Kid’s Days.  For more information about Kid’s Day, click here.  So, if you have kids and you want to get them active in the community, a great time to do it will be this Saturday from 2p-4p at the Food Bank in Raleigh (more details to come this week).