Hockey Fights Cancer
Encyclopedia
Hockey Fights Cancer is a charitable initiative of the National Hockey League
(NHL) and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) dedicated to raising money and awareness toward cancer research
. It was founded in 1998 as an outgrowth of a similar program instituted by the Tampa Bay Lightning
after former player John Cullen
attempted a brief NHL comeback following a battle with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
. The program has raised over $12 million.
forward John Cullen
was leading his team in scoring late in the 1996–97 NHL season when he was forced out of the lineup after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
. He missed the remainder of that season, and all of the following as he battled the disease. Cullen attempted a comeback in 1998–99, but chose to retire after four NHL and three minor league games. In recognition of his comeback attempt, the NHL named him the 1999 winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
for dedication and perseverance.
Cullen's battle with cancer inspired Timm Harmon of the Moffitt Cancer Centre
at the University of South Florida
to partner with the Lightning to raise awareness and money for cancer research. By December 1998, both the NHL and its union had joined themselves to the cause, creating the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. Hockey Fights Cancer is also supported by the National Hockey League Officials Association, the league's professional trainers' association and media and business partners.
star Sidney Crosby
's All-Star Game jersey sold for $47,520 in 2007, while that year's jersey auctions raised over $140,000 in total.
During the month, some players wear equipment specially painted pink to raise awareness for the initiative, while each of the league's 30 teams hosts events during home games to raise money. During their host games, the teams donate proceeds from 50/50 raffles, offer numerous promotions and donate tickets to hospitals and causes that support the fight against cancer. $1.1 million was raised in October 2010, bringing the charity's 13-year total to over $12 million.
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) dedicated to raising money and awareness toward cancer research
Cancer research
Cancer research is basic research into cancer in order to identify causes and develop strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatments and cure....
. It was founded in 1998 as an outgrowth of a similar program instituted by the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
after former player John Cullen
John Cullen
John Cullen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was a standout player for Boston University and is the school's all-time leading scorer...
attempted a brief NHL comeback following a battle with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
The non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a diverse group of blood cancers that include any kind of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphomas. Types of NHL vary significantly in their severity, from indolent to very aggressive....
. The program has raised over $12 million.
Founding
Tampa Bay LightningTampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
forward John Cullen
John Cullen
John Cullen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was a standout player for Boston University and is the school's all-time leading scorer...
was leading his team in scoring late in the 1996–97 NHL season when he was forced out of the lineup after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
The non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a diverse group of blood cancers that include any kind of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphomas. Types of NHL vary significantly in their severity, from indolent to very aggressive....
. He missed the remainder of that season, and all of the following as he battled the disease. Cullen attempted a comeback in 1998–99, but chose to retire after four NHL and three minor league games. In recognition of his comeback attempt, the NHL named him the 1999 winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one...
for dedication and perseverance.
Cullen's battle with cancer inspired Timm Harmon of the Moffitt Cancer Centre
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute opened on October 26, 1986, on the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida. The current President/CEO is Dr. William S...
at the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
to partner with the Lightning to raise awareness and money for cancer research. By December 1998, both the NHL and its union had joined themselves to the cause, creating the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. Hockey Fights Cancer is also supported by the National Hockey League Officials Association, the league's professional trainers' association and media and business partners.
Initiatives
Coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hockey Fights Cancer month is held in October. During the month, players, teams, fans and corporate partners combine to raise money via a variety of means, including auctions of team branded and player autographed merchandise and equipment. Game-worn jerseys are popular at the auctions; Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
star Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
's All-Star Game jersey sold for $47,520 in 2007, while that year's jersey auctions raised over $140,000 in total.
During the month, some players wear equipment specially painted pink to raise awareness for the initiative, while each of the league's 30 teams hosts events during home games to raise money. During their host games, the teams donate proceeds from 50/50 raffles, offer numerous promotions and donate tickets to hospitals and causes that support the fight against cancer. $1.1 million was raised in October 2010, bringing the charity's 13-year total to over $12 million.