Rinne & Weber's Continuing Impact Felt as 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund Turns 10

As SMASHVILLE trades its usual gold and navy for hues of lavender during the first Hockey Fights Cancer game of the season on Saturday, there will also be cause to recognize a significant milestone for the Nashville Predators organization.

Raising millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research since its inception during the 2013-14 season, the Preds this weekend will also celebrate the 10th season of the beloved 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund presented by Twice Daily - an enduring partnership between the team and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. 

“The intention was always to build something into what it is now,” Vice President of Community Relations Rebecca King said. “It started with this far-fetched idea that [the 365 Fund] would actually continue running long beyond the career of the players and beyond the people that created it. And it's kind of just taken on a life of its own.” 

Each year, the fund donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to the hospital in support of cancer research and clinical care programs, while Preds players routinely make visits to the hospital’s young patients.

No two players were more important to the fund, however, than its founders: former captain Shea Weber and goaltender Pekka Rinne.

“They both wanted to do something and wanted to have some sort of legacy project, so when they weren't here anymore, it would live on and on and on,” King said. “They didn't want exposure. They didn't want their names on it. They didn't want any recognition, but they wanted to do something. And we first convinced them that by putting their name and their likeness with it, it was going to draw attention and raise more money and more awareness and bring more fans on board to support a cause.”

Rinne and Weber agreed to become the face of the initiative, then defenseman Kevin Klein crafted the name.

Combining Rinne and Weber’s numbers to symbolize not only their involvement, but the unwavering, constant support the pair were sure to bring to the table, the 365 Fund was born.

Monroe Carell President Dr. Meg Rush, MD, MMHC, remembers the early days of the partnership fondly.

“When the concept of a relationship between Monroe Carell and the 365 Fund came about, it was new for us because we were still pretty young as a children's hospital, but it was really exciting,” she said. “And that’s one of the really great things about a 10-year relationship. Yes, it changes as people come and go, but the excitement on both sides of this partnership and both sides of this relationship has only grown and deepened.”

Indeed, over the past 10 years the Preds have taken every opportunity to go the extra mile. Instead of hosting one Hockey Fights Cancer game in November with the rest of the NHL, the Predators host an additional game each spring. 

And what started with Weber and Rinne periodically visiting the hospital evolved into the pair purchasing two suites inside Bridgestone Arena for Monroe Carell’s young patients and family members to use as a respite during the difficult periods of treatment.

“That is so meaningful to our families,” Dr. Rush said. “Over the years, every family has been so exceedingly grateful to be able to have that opportunity for their children. And for some patients, it's a little bit more meaningful. We've had some of our patients sing the national anthem, and those kinds of things are even that much more special for those families. But I think it's bringing the kids into the Predators environment and embracing them for that day or for other special days as their own and that just sends a very special message to our families.”

The selflessness sent an important message to the future leaders inside Nashville’s locker room as well.

“It taught Roman Josi, it taught Juuse Saros; by creating this program it put the idea in the younger guys on the team, like, ‘Oh, I can do something too and be greater than a hockey player. I can have some kind of legacy project,” King said. “So you’re not only bringing attention [to the fund], but you’re also teaching the younger group that comes behind you what it means to play here and what it means to be a community member of Nashville.”

In the years following the 365 Fund’s creation, the Preds Foundation has developed countless player initiatives, from Josi’s involvement with Best Buddies Tennessee to Saros heading up the Preds Pet Club benefitting Wags & Walks Nashville. 

All of them stemmed from the gold standard set by No. 6 and 35.

“They’re the two most humble, don't draw attention to me, I don't need the recognition guys,” King said. “But for them to understand that it was greater than them and that without their likeness there would’ve been no way we would have raised as much money or brought as much attention as we have, because people love those players and how good they are but what quality people they are as well… And we were able to really take a small idea and make it a mechanism to actually research finding a cure for cancer because of that.”

With the first 10 years of the 365 Fund now in the past and the next 10 already cemented by Vanderbilt Health’s partnership extension in October, both organizations are now simply looking forward to continuing the relationship.

“It's rare when you get to have the kind of relationship that starts as a business proposition but then becomes a little bit more personal,” Dr. Rush said. “And I feel that way about lots of people with the Preds, from Sean and Tracey Henry to the leadership team… I think that's one of the really special things about my role, is that when you've been in a role at a place for a long time, you see things grow over time and it's that deepening of relationships that just becomes kind of magical in its own way.”

Fans attending Saturday’s Hockey Fights Cancer game can contribute to the 365 Fund by purchasing a special Hockey Fights Cancer ticket package, bidding on Preds Foundation silent auction items, purchasing a foam ‘I Fight For’ puck or by making a direct donation.

Visit NashvillePredators.com/HockeyFightsCancer to learn more.