Staal Family Foundation Keeping Kids At The Forefront Of Its Efforts

RALEIGH, N.C. - When the Carolina Hurricanes host their annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Friday, Jordan Staal will take a glance up to section 217 inside Lenovo Center.

There, he'll see 12 smiles, enjoying an all-inclusive night they hopefully won't forget soon. Those aren't just any smiles, though; they're a fighter and their family.

As a part of the Staal Family Foundation's activations, each Canes home game, they host a child, or children battling cancer and their families. A tradition started by Eric Staal during his 12 years with the organization, Jordan now personally purchases each suite.

"It's a great opportunity for a kid who is struggling through a tough time to just be a kid and enjoy themselves," the current Canes Captain reasoned. "It's just a small thing that our foundation does to hopefully brighten a kid's day."

The family's foundation was started in 2012 after Tamara Stephenson, the sister of Eric's wife, Tanya, died in 2010 following a lengthy battle with a rare form of liver cancer. Since then, they've raised over $5 million to support children and families who are fighting cancer.

The foundation's reach includes both the Raleigh area and the Staal's home of Thunder Bay, Ontario, among other places. They've helped purchase equipment for the Cancer Centre at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center and for Camp Quality Northwestern Ontario.

Donations have also been made to the Smilezone Foundation, George Jeffrey Children's Centre, Canadian Cancer Society in Northwestern Ontario, and Ronald McDonald House Toronto.

But when it comes to Raleigh, it means a lot to both Jordan and his brothers to host young warriors for close to 50 nights a year.

"There are a lot of people going through tough times. It gives you thankfulness and gratitude for your health, your family's health, and the opportunity to go out and play with a healthy body," Jordan added. "To do it in front of them, and all fans, and give it your all out there for them, there's no better gig."

To learn more about the Staal Family Foundation and their efforts, click here. To learn more about the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation and its efforts, click here.