ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT women’s hockey team in conjunction with College Hockey America, will hold its annual “Skate With the Cure” game against Syracuse University on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 at 7:05 p.m. This year, RIT is supporting “Do It For Daron” (DIFD), an organization dedicated to raising awareness, inspiring conversations, and transforming youth mental health.
RIT will wear special purple jerseys that will be auctioned off via silent auction, with all proceeds going to DIFD. In addition, purple bracelets and lanyards will be given out with purchase of raffle tickets. The starting bids for the jerseys are $150 with a buy it now price of $300. Bidding will end at the start of the third period. There will also be several raffle prizes, including a signed stick, signed team photo and grand prize of a special DIFD jersey signed by the entire RIT women’s hockey team. There will also be chuck a puck after the second period with the winner receiving a $250 gift card to Bill Gray’s Restaurant.
On Nov. 13, 2010, 14-year-old Daron Richardson died by suicide. From this tragedy came a movement to transform youth mental health. Spearheaded by Daron’s parents Luke and Stephanie Richardson, who decided to transform their very private pain into a public call-to-action, a decision was made to support young people who suffer in silence from the pain and stigma of mental illness. Supported by the energy and efforts of dozens of Daron’s close friends and classmates, a grassroots movement was formed with the mission of creating awareness, inspiring conversations, and transforming youth mental health.
Do It For Daron (DIFD) encourages young people to talk openly about mental illness and to ask for help when needed. DIFD provides young people, their parents, teachers, coaches and other adult role models with the resources, outlets and, most importantly, courage to overcome the shame and fear of discussing mental illness. The purple DIFD heart, a creation inspired by Daron’s favorite color, has become the youth-driven symbol of this movement. It is a visual reminder that only love and awareness, not hiding in the shadows, can combat youth mental illness.
“We are honored to be partners with the Richardson family and the Do It For Daron Foundation,” said Bruce B. Bates Women’s Hockey Coach Scott McDonald. “Mental heath awareness is crucial in development of our youth. The DIFD organization certainly hits close to home within the hockey community. We are hopeful to spread the positive message throughout the Rochester community.”
RIT captain Taylor Thurston (Kanata, Ontario/All Saints Catholic) was a teammate with Daron Richardson growing up in the greater Ottawa area. They played together in bantams in 2009 and Midget AA with the Kanata Rangers. Thurston would go on to play with Daron’s older sister Morgan with the Ottawa Senators of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League.
“This game means so much not only to me personally having played with Daron, but thousands of youths that DIFD has inspired. It’s brought hope and inspiration to many and to play for this cause is something I will always remember.”
Tickets for the game are available at the Gene Polisseni Center and Gordon Field House Box Offices, by calling (585) 475-4121, or by visiting www.rithockey.com.
In the past, the RIT women’s hockey program has participated in several fundraising initiatives for organizations such as Black Out Heart Disease, CURE Childhood Cancer, Autism Up, “One Team One Fight”, and the Testicular Cancer Foundation of Western New York.
