As part of the night, those fighting or involved in the fight will be recognized during the game. A special moment of silence to honor those affected by the disease will take place prior to the game in which fans in attendance will be asked to utilize their cell phone lights in memory of those who have been lost, while players hold up 'I Fight For', 'In Memory Of' or 'Survivor' cards.
Prior to the game, Moffitt Cancer Center and the Lightning will host a contactless collection drive in the 15-minute circle on Channelside Drive to help support those who are currently going through treatment. Donations accepted include new and packaged, blankets, socks, beanies and hats. Leading up to the game, you can also donate online by visiting
www.tampabaysports.com/moffitt
.
For the second consecutive year, the game's national anthem will be performed by Marissa Peddie. Marissa is a student at Ruth Eckerd Hall's Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts. In 2013 she was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of eight and underwent more than two years of treatment at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. She turned to music as respite from her treatments and has since been singing at various charity events to promote pediatric cancer awareness. Marissa is still in remission, having received her last treatment in February of 2016.
Moffitt Cancer Center president and CEO, Dr. Patrick Hwu, alongside two of his patients, will participate in the honorary puck drop prior to the game start. Dr. Hwu, an internationally recognized tumor immunologist, joined the Moffitt team in November of 2020. He continues to lead pioneering research and clinical efforts to better understand the interactions between tumors and the immune system in his new role at Moffitt.
The Lightning will also have numerous promotions throughout the game to highlight Hockey Fights Cancer Night, including the 50/50 Raffle, presented by Moffitt Cancer Center. Fans in the Tampa Bay area can purchase 50/50 raffle online starting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 19 through the end of the second intermission of the game on Tuesday, April 22 by visiting
www.bolts5050.com
. During the first intermission the Lightning will present a $45,000 check to Moffitt Cancer Center, consisting of proceeds from a portion of the 50/50 raffle from the 2019-20 season.
This year's HFC Mystery Pucks were designed by kids from the Children's Cancer Center, a non-profit dedicated to serving children and their families who are battling cancer or chronic blood disorders with the emotional, financial and educational support necessary to cope with their life-threatening illness. The pucks will be available for sale starting at 10am at
www.boltshfc.givesmart.com
. Players will once again wear HFC jerseys and use lavender-taped sticks during warmups, all of which will be up for auction on
www.boltshfc.givesmart.com
until April 30. Fans can also place bids on select HFC signed items during the game on
www.bolts.givesmart.com
.
Through the Lightning's Community Hockey department, five-hundred Moffitt Cancer Center patients and team members received hockey sticks and balls, bringing hockey from the ice to the hospital. The community hockey IGF Program supports the Tampa Bay area community and the continued growth of the game of hockey.
