BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres announced that the team will again take part in the NHL Hockey Fights Cancer™ program, presented by Roswell Park Cancer Institute, during the team’s home game on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. against the Minnesota Wild. As part of an NHL-wide initiative to raise money and awareness for cancer research, the Sabres will be hosting events throughout the night with the help of local cancer patients and their charitable organizations.
“Roswell Park Cancer Institute is committed to providing the best in innovative treatments and care for our patients. Research and education drives our progress in the fight against this disease,” said Candace S. Johnson, PhD, Roswell Park President & CEO. “The NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer program and the Sabres collaborative support helps us raise awareness about cancer risk and prevention and brings us one step closer to a world without cancer.”
The team is offering a Hockey Fights Cancer Package for $99. The deal includes two 300 Level II tickets and a Hockey Fights Cancer purple T-shirt. Additional shirts are available for $20 each. Fans attending the game will also have the opportunity to purchase autographed Hockey Fights Cancer hats for $20. The hats have been donated by New Era Cap Company and will be sold before the game and until the second intermission. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Wives and girlfriends of Sabres players will be on hand to assist with the sale.
“For nearly 20 years, the Hockey Fights Cancer movement has supported the people who are affected by this terrible disease,” said Sabres President Russ Brandon. “Our organization is committed to furthering their fantastic efforts, and we will continue to back institutions such as Roswell Park Cancer Institute and all the wonderful work they do. We want to keep encouraging our fans to do everything they can to assist these institutions and help fight this disease together.”
Fans attending the game will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win Sabres experiences and autographed items. Roswell Park volunteers will be selling three tickets for $10 or 10 tickets for $20 and will be located on the 100 level near the bridge to HarborCenter. Furthermore, an online auction featuring unique Sabres autographed merchandise and experiences will be running this week on auctions.NHL.com. All proceeds from these auctions will benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute. This auction will start on Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. and will close on Nov. 6 at 9 p.m.
To commemorate the night, all Sabres players will wear purple jerseys and use sticks with purple tape during warmups. The jerseys will be auctioned off on auctions.NHL.com immediately following the game. Sabres coaches and broadcasters will be wearing commemorative Hockey Fights Cancer ties. There will also be a ceremonial puck drop before the game, so fans are strongly encouraged to be in their seats early.
Roswell Park volunteers will also be stationed at tables throughout the concourse to help fans fill out “I’m fighting for ___” towels to be held up at a designated time during the second period.
Over the past five years, the Buffalo Sabres’ Hockey Fights Cancer fund has donated $25,000 to Flashes of Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for children’s cancer while honoring the unique life and memories of every child fighting cancer. Several Sabres players went to Roswell Park Cancer Institute on Oct. 11 to visit with patients that benefit from Flashes of Hope.
Flashes of Hope will also be set up from 5 to 6:30 p.m. near the elevators on the street level to give cancer survivors an opportunity to have their photos taken professionally, which they can then purchase.
Members of Carly’s Club will join other cancer patients from Roswell Park throughout the game in suites donated by the Sabres’ organization and Sabres players Brian Gionta, Ryan O’Reilly and Zach Bogosian. After the game, pediatric cancer patients will have the opportunity to meet with Sabres players in the team’s locker room.
The mission of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898, RPCI is one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email [email protected]. Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter.
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. The Hockey Fights Cancer initiative is supported by the National Hockey League Foundation, the NHL Foundation, players, 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. To date, the Hockey Fights Cancer programs of the National Hockey League Foundation (in the US) and the NHL Foundation (in Canada), along with NHL supporters and fans, have donated more than $16 million to support the cancer programs of national and local cancer research institutions, children’s hospitals, player charities and local charities. For more information about Hockey Fights Cancer, please go to hockeyfightscancer.com.
