(Rochester, NY)… The Rochester Americans announced today that the team will host a “Pink the Rink” Breast Cancer Awareness game on Sunday, March 29 when the Amerks play the Toronto Marlies at The Blue Cross Arena at 3:05 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the game will be donated to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR) and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
“The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester is the only independent, community-based, full-scope organization in our region focused exclusively on supporting those in the aftermath of a breast cancer diagnosis and we are tickled PINK to be selected by our hometown Amerks as a beneficiary of ‘Pink the Rink’,” said Holly Anderson, Executive Director of the BCCR. “Breast Cancer continues to take the lives of over 40,000 women (and over 400 men) each year in the United States and THIS IS NOT OKAY. Fighting Breast Cancer takes gumption, fierceness, perseverance and a focused effort by everyone in the game. We are deeply grateful to our hometown Amerks for supporting our hometown breast cancer organization and setting a great example for every one of us ‘in the game!’ Let’s win it!”
“The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Rochester is thrilled to be partnering with the Rochester Americans for ‘Pink the Rink,’ an incredible event geared toward celebrating the lives of breast cancer survivors and remembering those we have lost while raising awareness for breast cancer,” said Sarah Cox, Senior Manager of Community Events for the American Cancer Society Eastern Division. “Fighting breast cancer is hard, however, creating partnerships like these make that fight a little more fun. Come out and enjoy a great game of hockey and help us finish the fight at the same time!”
As part of the Pink the Rink game, the Amerks will wear special-edition pink and blue jerseys to promote breast cancer awareness. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase these jerseys through a silent auction held during the game on The Blue Cross Arena concourse. Following the game, the winners of the auction will be able to take the ice and be presented with a “jersey off the back” from the Amerks players.
Pink the Rink T-Shirt packages are on sale now. For just $20, fans can purchase a specialty pink Amerks T-shirt and one “best-available” ticket, with a portion from each package sold going to the game’s overall fundraising effort. The packages can be purchased online at www.amerks.com/pinktherink, in person at the Amerks office, or by phone at 1-855-GO-AMERKS. Orders must be placed prior to March 27. Individual tickets (t-shirt not included) can be purchased for just $15.
In addition to the jersey auction and pink t-shirt packages, the Amerks will be selling special Pink the Rink Mystery Pucks on the main concourse during the game.
“The Rochester Americans are proud to partner with the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk to assist in their ongoing efforts to support those who fight this terrible disease that effects so many women and families,” said Amerks Vice President of Business Operations Rob Kopacz. “The courage of those who have battled and are battling breast cancer, and the commendable work being done by BCCR, MSABC and other organizations to assist them, deserve to be recognized and supported.”
About Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester: The mission of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester is to provide support to those touched by a diagnosis of breast cancer, to make access to information and care a priority through education and advocacy, and to empower women and men to participate fully in decisions relating to breast cancer.
About Making Strides Against Breast Cancer: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, uniting more than 300 communities to finish the fight. Every breast cancer walk and event is an incredible and inspiring opportunity to honor those who have battled breast cancer, raise awareness about what we can do to reduce our breast cancer risk, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease with research, information, services, and access to mammograms for women who need them.
