DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings are proud to team up with the American Cancer Society and Fifth Third Bank for We Are Hockeytown: Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Thursday, Oct. 15 to honor those impacted by cancer and celebrate the strength, courage and resilience of survivors, families and caregivers, while increasing cancer awareness and raising funds for research.
To join the fight against cancer, the Red Wings are hosting several activities and fundraisers before, during and after Thursday's nationally televised Hockey Fights Cancer game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.
Upon entering Little Caesars Arena starting at 6 p.m., fans can pick up an “I Fight For” card, fill it out and hold it up during a league-wide special moment during the first period. Fans can also personalize "I Fight For" stickers to place on the giant DRW light-up letters on the concourse near the Fifth Third Entry SE. This interactive display allows fans to honor, highlight and share support for themselves or a loved one impacted by cancer.
A giant purple American Cancer Society chair will also be on the concourse near the VIA Bar for photo opportunities, and Chevrolet will wrap vehicles in the concourse in pink to support breast cancer awareness. The Red Wings will also unveil a giant We Are Hockeytown flag to be passed throughout the crowd before the game.
Autographed lavender Red Wings jerseys will be available for auction online from Oct. 15-22, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society and the Detroit Red Wings Foundation. Fans can bid on the jerseys at DetroitRedWings.com/Auction, starting at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 15.
In addition to the jerseys, fans can purchase one of 275 specialty Hockey Fights Cancer pucks on the concourse outside the Team Store before and during the game, through the second intermission. One of the mystery pucks is gold and will be signed by Red Wings forward Emmitt Finnie. The fan who purchases this puck will win a meet and greet with Finnie. Fifth Third Bank will match proceeds from the puck sale.
Additional specialty pucks, designed by local artist Dr. Taisel Losada-Bekou—Clinical Psychologist and Division Head of Psych-Oncology at Henry Ford Health—will be available for purchase in the Team Store, and fans can purchase commemorative tickets with a design matching the specialty pucks online. Proceeds from the puck sale and the game’s 50/50 raffle will benefit Game On Cancer and the Detroit Red Wings Foundation.
The Red Wings’ Hockey Fights Cancer goalie mask will also be revealed on Oct. 15 and will be available for fans to view outside PORTAL 50 throughout the game. The mask will later be available for auction, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Game On Cancer.
Michigan native and ‘Full House’ actor Dave Coulier, who is in remission from two types of cancer, will be in attendance with fellow ‘Full House’ co-star Andrea Barber, in partnership with the NHL and The V Foundation. Coulier and Barber will be Mic’d Up for the game, and the NHL and The V Foundation will share clips after Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
Coulier is also scheduled to visit Henry Ford Health’s Cancer Pavilion in Detroit on Oct. 19 with select Red Wings alumni to interact with patients and share stories.
The Red Wings and Fifth Third Bank are inviting 100 cancer patients, survivors, researchers and American Cancer Society supporters to Hockey Fights Cancer Night. Those special guests will enjoy a pregame reception inside Little Caesars Arena and an on-ice group photo after the game.
Multiple cancer fighters and survivors will help the Red Wings start the game. 10-year-old Gavin, a hockey player and leukemia survivor, will be the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Youth Skater of the Game.
The honorary Puck Drop Captains will be a family affiliated with Game On Cancer. Recent Breast Cancer survivor Ciara will be joined on the ice by her husband and their kids, Charlie and Macy. The National Anthem will be performed by Monica Notaro, who will be joined by a special guest is a recent two-time cancer survivor.
For more information on Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Oct. 15, fans can visit DetroitRedWings.com/HockeyFightsCancer.
