NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer Campaign
November 19, 2021
This month the National Hockey League (NHL) and its Players Association (NHLPA) are running their annual Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC) campaign. Since 1998, the joint initiative has raised more than $30 million, uniting the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families.
The initiative gets an assist from players, coaches, officials, equipment managers, front office staff, corporate partners and fans. Together, the hockey family looks to inspire hope and courage for those who are living with, going through and moving past cancer with this campaign.
Each of the 32 NHL Clubs celebrate their own in-game awareness night with original storytelling, special ceremonies and fundraising efforts for local charities. In addition to other HFC activations and messaging, the games feature lavender dasher boards (lavender representing all cancers) and coaches and broadcasters will be wearing HFC ties. Players wear special Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys and use lavender stick tape during warmups.
Once again, the campaign will help the American Cancer Society, Canadian Cancer Society and Movember Foundation provide a better quality of life for patients, caregivers, and their families.
NHL Alumnus Dominic Moore was named the 2021 ambassador. In 2013, he founded the Katie Moore Foundation in honor of his late wife who was diagnosed with Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma, a rare form of liver cancer. Moore also co-founded Smashfest, a charitable ping-pong event that brings together NHL Players and Alumni, celebrities and fans to raise awareness and funds for concussion and rare cancer research.
"Unfortunately, too many of us have a cancer story. No matter what the specific disease is, we are all impacted in the same way: our lives are turned upside down," said Moore. "This month, I want to help share stories of grief, hope and triumph, because there's an opportunity to find comfort and strength in our fight against cancer."
Through the American Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Society, donations raised will continue to support hundreds of cancer patients and their families every day with accommodations, meals, transportation, activities and emotional support. To date, donations have provided more than 506,000 nights in lodges, transportation equalling more than 370,000 rides, and funding to support a 24/7 helpline for patients and caregivers.
"Every year, Hockey Fights Cancer brings the hockey community together with the American Cancer Society to support cancer patients and their families, funding such critical services as free lodging for patients and caregivers and transportation to and from treatment," said Dr. Karen Knudsen, American Cancer Society Chief Executive Officer. "We are grateful to the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association for their continued commitment to the fight against cancer."
New this season, fans can visit HockeyFightsCancer.com/Vegas to contribute to the cause and enter for a chance to win a trip to the 2022 NHL All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. All contributions will go to the NHL Foundation in support of Hockey Fights Cancer.