Hockey Fights Cancer, the joint initiative between the NHL and the NHLPA supporting cancer patients and their families, will feature ceremonies, observances and fundraising throughout the month of November. Each team will designate one home game as an official Hockey Fights Cancer awareness night, with unique programming and partnerships with local cancer associations. The efforts have helped to donate more than $18M since the inception of the initiative in ‘98. NHL VP/Special Projects & Social Responsibility Jessica Berman said the initiative will look to build on the foundation it has built since it started, bringing a heightened focus on storytelling that highlights the impact that the donations have had over the years, while striking a stronger alignment with its non-profit partners. The league has named Nicholle Anderson, the wife of Senators G Craig Anderson, as the official Hockey Fights Cancer ambassador. Anderson was diagnosed last October with a rare form of cancer that affected her throat. Following treatment, she was declared cancer-free in May. She will work with the initiative to share stories of those impacted by cancer who are currently undergoing treatment at American Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Society lodges, which will be shared on NHL and NHLPA digital platforms. Anderson reached out to the league this past summer to pitch the idea of a fundraiser alongside the initiative this year. Those talks escalated into this role, where she will be helping to tell the stories of those in hockey who have been affected by cancer.
FIRST INT'L DEAL FOR ACS: Both the American Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Society are partnering with the Hockey Fights Cancer efforts this year as well. Donations collected through the initiative’s website and proceeds from the various related efforts will go towards cancer care, including cancer care facilities and supporting patients undergoing treatment at places. This marks the first international sports partnership for the ACS, said organization Chief Development & Marketing Officer Sharon Byers. It also has a partnership with the NFL. Byers said that the partnership will look to reach youth clubs and local hockey players as well, and will work with the NHL to amplify the efforts of local community members, as well as help spread the message of the organization. “I’ve always found the NHL to be one of the most progressive leagues in understanding the essence of the sports business, as well as understanding that they need to be a strong corporate citizen,” she said. “To lean in as deeply as they have with this level of commitment, it shows how much they’re committed to this cause.”
CONTINUING MOVEMBER PARTNERSHIP: The initiative is also continuing its partnership with the Movember Foundation for the fifth consecutive year. As part of the partnership, players around the league will grow mustaches, which fans can support through donations to the players or teams via a microsite. Fans will be encouraged to raise money with their own moustache. The foundation -- which focuses on men’s health and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention -- will also highlight former NHLer and current NHL Senior VP/Player Safety George Parros, who was well known for both his mustache and his support of Movember. NHLPA Dir of Marketing & Community Relations Devin Smith said that the union worked closely with Movember to empower as many players as they could to take part this year. He said, “Our goal is to expand our efforts while making sure we have ways to support it in any way people feel comfortable, whether its merchandise, donations or just helping to raise awareness." NHL Network will highlight a number of stories from people within hockey who have been affected by cancer.
