Red Wings team up with American Cancer Society for annual Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night

By @MichaelCaples –

On Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings will be joining forces with the American Cancer Society for the team’s annual Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night.

When the Wings take on the Boston Bruins – puck drops at 7 p.m. – fans are encouraged to wear lavender to support cancer awareness.

More than 60 cancer patients, survivors and caretakers from the American Cancer Society will take in the game from the Rehmann Suite Level as guests of captain Henrik Zetterberg, defenseman Brendan Smith and the rest of the Wings.

All fans in attendance will an official “I Fight For” rally towel, courtesy of the Wings.

Fans can also support the American Cancer Society through the purchase of player-autographed Mystery Pucks and 50/50 raffle tickets on the main concourse level, and an online auction of lavender player-used Red Wings Hockey Fights Cancer equipment.

More from the official release from the Wings:

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, 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.

Red Wings Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night Activities include:

VIP TEAM PRACTICE EXPERIENCE & LUNCHEON

Prior to the game, the Red Wings will host more than 60 cancer patients, survivors and caretakers for a VIP experience at Joe Louis Arena during the team’s morning practice session at 10:30 a.m. After practice, guests will enjoy lunch in the Comerica Bank Legends Club and meet & greet opportunities with select Red Wings players. Each guest also receives a special Hockey Fights Cancer fan package and Rehmann Suite Level tickets to the game, complements of captain Henrik Zetterberg, defenseman Brendan Smith and the Detroit Red Wings.

HONORARY PUCK DROP CAPTAIN – SAMANTHA DYE

At the age of 3, Samantha Dye was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. After her diagnosis, Sam began a three-year treatment protocol which included chemotherapy and several inpatient stays at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Following her initial treatment, Sam was declared in remission. Unfortunately, nearly one year later at the age of 7, Sam developed new symptoms that were identified as a relapse of her cancer. An avid Detroit Red Wings fan, Sam used the team as inspiration while battling through additional treatments. After years of treatments, Sam – who is now 15 years old – has been deemed cancer-free.

NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMER – CALYSTA BEVIER

At the age of 15, Grand Rapids, Ohio, native Calysta Bevier was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. After the urgent removal of a five-pound tumor, she underwent 21 infusions of chemotherapy. Following months of recovery, Calysta is now in remission. Her performance of Rachel Platten’s triple-platinum certified song, “Fight Song,” at a friend’s cancer benefit dinner went viral, and the performance drew the attention of The Ellen DeGeneres Show – resulting in Calysta being invited to perform alongside Platten on the show. Since then, Calysta’s vocal talents and desire to inspire others led her to perform on NBC Universal’s “America’s Got Talent,” where she received high-praise from judge Simon Cowell. Calysta and her family have made it their mission to bring further awareness to the fight against cancer and to inspire others through their non-profit, Caly Cares.

“I FIGHT FOR” RALLY TOWELS

Each fan attending the game will receive an official “I Fight For” rally towel, courtesy of the Detroit Red Wings. Guests are asked to write the name of someone they know affected by cancer on the towel as a showing of support. Markers will be available from ushers located in each section of Joe Louis Arena. During the second television timeout of the first period, attendees will be encouraged to stand and hold up their “I Fight For” rally towel to recognize the person in their life who has been affected by cancer.

SHARE YOUR “I FIGHT FOR” STORY

Fans are encouraged to join the conversation in support of cancer awareness by visiting the Share Your “I Fight For” Story photo station on the main concourse near Section 114 to share photos and videos via Facebook (facebook.com/detroitredwings), Instagram (@DetroitRedWings and @DRWCommunity) or Twitter (@DetroitRedWings) using the official hashtags #WingsFightCancer and #HockeyFightsCancer. Additionally, fans can share their story on Snapchat (@OfficialDRW) with the special Hockey Fights Cancer “I Fight For” filter. Red Wings fans not in attendance on Saturday can download a team-customized “I Fight For” card at www.HockeyFightsCancer.com.

MYSTERY PUCK DRAW

In support of American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery transportation program, fans can purchase a limited number of player-autographed pucks from the Mystery Puck Draw located near Section 125 on the main concourse. Each puck costs $40 and features the autograph of a current Red Wings player. On average, each puck purchased will provide four rides for Metro Detroit cancer patients to reach vital services. Representatives from the American Cancer Society will also be present to provide fans with more information on how to support the Road to Recovery program.

DETROIT RED WINGS FOUNDATION 50/50 CHARITY RAFFLE

Fans can purchase Detroit Red Wings Foundation 50/50 Charity Raffle tickets from kiosks located near Sections 101, 116, and 126, or outside the International Bancard Olympia Club until the third period. Each winner receives 50 percent of the jackpot, with the remaining proceeds benefiting the Detroit Red Wings Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER ONLINE AUCTION

Red Wings players will don Hockey Fights Cancer lavender jerseys and use lavender-taped hockey sticks during pregame warm-ups on Saturday. The jerseys and sticks will then be auctioned at www.DetroitRedWings.com/Auction, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. The online auction will run through Friday, Nov. 11.

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER APPAREL

Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill and the team’s coaching staff, along with FOX Sports Detroit broadcast personalities, will wear special Hockey Fights Cancer lavender ties and lapel pins during Saturday’s game. Fans in attendance can purchase exclusive Red Wings Hockey Fights Cancer themed merchandise on the concourse of Joe Louis Arena with a portion of the proceeds benefiting cancer-related charities.

PRE AND IN-GAME EXPERIENCES

Cancer patients and survivors attending the game will enjoy many of the one-of-a-kind game day experiences at Joe Louis Arena, including Zamboni rides, pregame penalty box visits and in-game contests.

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.

American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than 2.5 million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. We’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.