Capitals and MSE Foundation Hockey Fights Cancer Campaign Raises $126,038

Arlington, Va. - The Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment's 2022-23 Hockey Fights Cancer campaign raised a total of $126,038 for charity. This season's Hockey Fights Cancer beneficiaries included the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Mid-Atlantic Region, Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and MSE Foundation. In addition, the American Cancer Society received a portion of the proceeds through the HFC Assist initiative.

MSE Foundation's Hockey Fights Cancer auction raised $53,715. The fundraiser featured signed Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys worn during warmups on Nov. 19; signed, player-used sticks; and signed, limited-edition Hockey Fights Cancer pucks.

Nov. 19 marked the Capitals annual Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Game supported by Leidos. Six children who are currently battling cancer or who are in remission were announced as members of the team's starting lineup. Each participant was matched with the Capitals starting six players and introduced individually with their headshot on the jumbotron in honor of their fight against cancer. The #CapsFightCancer Starting Lineup participants included 7-year-old Dylan Akers, 16-year-old Colton Alfaro, 9-year-old Kolton Chaney, 17-year-old Katie Gardiner, 10-year-old Jayden Robinson, and 8-year-old Makayla Russell.

Hockey Fights Cancer Night also featured various Hockey Fights Cancer related moments and themes throughout the evening. Fans were encouraged to show their support for those fighting cancer by submitting the names of loved ones who have experienced the disease on social media. The submissions became part of the Capitals in-game experience during Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
There was also a check presentation from Leidos of a $40,000 donation to be split by the Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer beneficiaries. All fans also received a lavender 'I Fight For' rally towel courtesy of Leidos. Proceeds from MSE Foundation's 50/50 Raffle on Nov. 19 also benefited the Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer beneficiaries.

Postgame, Capitals goaltenders Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren met with the top 10 local youth goalies who participated in fundraising for October Saves. Kuemper and Lindgren participated in the October Saves Goalie Challenge in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The challenge, founded in 2014 by the Ashburn, Va., Xtreme Hockey Club, encourages goaltenders throughout the country at any age and skill level to pledge money for each save they make during the month of October, with proceeds benefitting charity. In addition October Saves presented a $15,000 check to the Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer beneficiaries. The campaign raised $611,000 total, with Virginia and Maryland raising a combined $153,410.

The top fundraiser from across North America was Potomac Patriots player Ike Cole, whose mother is a breast cancer and colon cancer survivor.
In addition, through the HFC Assist initiative, the NHL, NHLPA, Capitals and American Cancer Society invited youth hockey players and teams to join their favorite Players and NHL Teams in the fight against cancer. Youth and local leagues across the DMV were able to register to host their own Hockey Fights Cancer awareness night and fundraise through tools such as stick tape, helmet decals and other levels of participation. To date $5,103 has been raised by 21 participating teams, with games continuing through the winter.
For more information on Hockey Fights Cancer, visit
WashingtonCaps.com/CapsFightCancer
.
To learn more and to donate to the Hockey Fights Cancer campaign,
click here
.