Avs Partner With UCHealth For Hockey Fights Cancer

DENVER--The Colorado Avalanche and UCHealth join in the NHL / NHLPA's annual Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC) initiative to honor those in the hockey community who have struggled or continue to struggle with the disease.
The annual campaign, scheduled from Oct. 24 to Nov. 18, is supported by all 30 NHL teams. Each club designates one home game as its Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night. The Avalanche's designated Hockey Fights Cancer game is this Saturday, Nov. 5, against Minnesota at Pepsi Center.
Below is a list of the Avalanche's support:

Avalanche Designated Hockey Fights Cancer Game - 1 p.m. MT Saturday, Nov. 5 vs. Minnesota -Sponsored by UCHealth

Ceremonial puck drop

Kendall Elliott, 56, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008 and has been battling cancer ever since, will be celebrated in a ceremonial puck drop before the Nov. 5th game. Elliott, who was nominated by UCHealth, served 27 years in law enforcement, 17 of which were with the Larimer County Sheriff's Office where he retired as a lieutenant. He will be recognized on-ice, receive team merchandise, participate in a behind the scenes tour of Pepsi Center, and enjoy the game with his family. Elliott currently receives treatment at University of Colorado Hospital.

Glow stick ceremony

At the start of the first intermission on Nov. 5, fans will participate in a special glow stick ceremony to represent the fight against all cancers. Patients currently receiving treatment at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital will be featured on a live feed to the Pepsi Center and will crack their glow sticks in unison as a kick-off to the ceremony. Those in attendance at the Pepsi Center will receive a lavender glow stick, courtesy of UCHealth, and will be asked to refrain from activating until the Avalanche directs them to do so.

Photo station

Avalanche fans will have an opportunity to fill out "I Fight For" placards on the concourse at section 144 and take a photo with the placards at the UCHealth-sponsored digital photo station. Photos can be shared socially and via email. Check out the
photo gallery of Avalanche players
showing who they're fighting for.

#

Youth Skater

Ten-year-old Keegan O'Connell, who plays for Northern Colorado Eagles, has been a competitive hockey player for many years. O'Connell skates in honor of his grandfather who battled cancer for many years.

#

Av for a Day

Six-year-old Kolton Platt was diagnosed with Leukemia nearly one year ago. He is currently undergoing treatment at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, the sponsor of the Av for a Day Program. Kolton will attend Avalanche morning practice, meet the team for pictures and autographs, receive a team gift bag, participate in a behind the scenes tour of Pepsi Center, have dinner in the Peak Pub and sit in glass seats, provided by Eddie's Kids Foundation.

Landy's Friends

Avalanche Captain Gabe Landeskog is hosting three families from the 2016 Avalanche Charity Brunch who have been affected by cancer. These special guests will watch the game from a catered suite and receive gift bags from Landeskog.

Pepsi Center turns Lavender for the Game

Pepsi Center lighting inside and outside will be lit in lavender, which represents awareness of all cancers, throughout the game.
Avalanche Coaching Staff and Broadcasters will wear the official Sportin' Styles Hockey Fights Cancer lavender necktie and pocket square during the game. Throughout the month, all players are wearing a Hockey Fights Cancer decal on their helmets.

Jersey Auction

Avs fans will have the opportunity to purchase limited edition lavender Avalanche jerseys worn by players during pre-game skate at Pepsi Center on Nov. 5. Online bidding
is available here
.

Dasher Boards

Pepsi Center dasher boards will be in lavender from Oct. 31 to Nov. 6 to increase exposure/awareness for the cancer fighting cause.

Retail

Avs fans will have the opportunity to support Hockey Fights Cancer with the purchase of limited edition HFC merchandise, including a specially designed hat by Denver-based company, Whimsicaps. The hats were designed with cancer patients in mind, providing comfortable headwear as the hair lost during chemotherapy regrew.

Avalanche support also includes:

Hockey Fights Cancer Donation

On behalf of the NHL/NHLPA, the Avalanche will donate $2,500 toward the Patient Financial Assistance Funds at UCHealth hospitals and $2,500 to Rocky Mountain Children's Health Foundation - both in support of activities and programs for cancer patients.

Break the Ice Skating Clinic on Nov. 9

Approximately 40 children affected by cancer from Rocky Mountain Children's Health Foundation will join Avalanche player Matt Duchene, along with Avalanche Mascot Bernie and Ram Trucks Ice Girls, for a skating clinic at Pepsi Center. Break the Ice is sponsored by Crescent Point Energy, which also provides volunteers at the clinic.

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
.

About Kroenke Sports Charities

Kroenke Sports Charities is committed to improving lives through the spirit and power of sports. We strive to serve our community through education, health and fitness initiatives, athletic programs, and direct aid, with the particular purpose of helping families, children, veterans, and the disabled. Kroenke Sports Charities provides relevant programs and support, directly and with other nonprofit organizations, to ultimately assist, encourage, and enrich the lives of those in need.

About UCHealth

UCHealth is a Front Range health system that delivers the highest quality patient care with the highest quality patient experience. UCHealth combines Memorial Hospital, Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, Broomfield Hospital, Grandview Hospital, Colorado Health Medical Group, and University of Colorado Hospital into an organization dedicated to health and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. Separately, these institutions can continue providing superior care to patients and service to the communities they serve. Together, they push the boundaries of medicine, attracting more research funding, hosting more clinical trials and improving health through innovation.