A Caps Cameo that Helped Fight Cancer

Random Acts in the W is a community-focused campaign developed to give back to Caps fans surrounding the everyday moments in which individuals may need their spirits lifted.

As cliché as the saying may sound, it really is the little things that go the furthest.
That's certainly the case for Andrew (Drew) Bray and the Cameo he received from T.J. Oshie during his cancer battle in December.
Drew was diagnosed with breast cancer last October and had a mastectomy in November. The Bray family then spent the last 5 months seeking opinions on treatment and then eventually Drew started undergoing chemotherapy.
Male breast cancer only accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancers diagnosed and it usually carries a higher mortality rate because it's caught in the advanced stages and later in life for men.
Drew encourages everyone to pay attention to their bodies and mention if they feel something different and go get checked.
When his wife, Kinley, learned about the Caps on Cameo fundraiser in the midst of her husband's battle with cancer in December, she immediately took the opportunity to request a "pep talk" from Drew's favorite player T.J. Oshie.
"The video I received back was amazing and played over and over in our house when we learned that Drew would need to have chemotherapy," Kinley said.
"When I got the Cameo I was blown away," said Drew. "It made my mom cry when I showed her. It really lifted my spirits."
The Capitals have been a huge part of Drew and Kinley's life dating back to the beginning of their relationship. They found games to be great date nights and then soon after became partial and eventually full season ticket holders for 11 years.
They've traveled all over the country to watch the Caps play so the cameo gift his wife got from Oshie brought it full circle.
Cancer is scary, it involves physical and mental challenges and every single person needs a support system.
"If someone you know is diagnosed, ask questions, ask how they are doing and just be supportive. Take them to lunch, bring them dinner - send them a Cameo. It really does matter," Drew said.
Last month, Drew rang the bell at the hospital after completing his last treatment, marking the end of his battle with cancer. He is officially cancer free!

"Ringing that bell wearing that shirt and my Caps hockey fights cancer hat really meant a lot to me," Drew said. "I still have some small side effects that are fading but I am done. I beat it."
To celebrate the incredibly monumental occasion, the Capitals invited Drew and his family out to Tuesday night's game against the Flyers.
The family arrived early for warmups to get a good spot on the glass, and their daughter Katie brought a sign to get T.J. Oshie's attention.
T.J. spotted the family and promptly skated over to deliver a puck over the glass to Drew and to say congratulations.

"Jeez when a player whom you admire on and off the ice comes skating straight across the blueline pointing directly at me and saying 'I know you' and flipping me a puck and saying 'Congrats' it really means a lot," Drew said.

The Capitals also gave Drew a team-signed "W" jersey along with a night to remember which he and his family will cherish forever.
"After a pandemic and a very difficult few months supporting Drew in his cancer battle, our family really needed that," said Kinley, "I don't know that I'll ever be able to put into words what an incredible gift it was."
"It's the little things like your favorite hockey player saying 'let's kick the $h*t out of this thing' that make the fight that much easier."