Hockey Fights Cancer night in Buffalo slated for Nov. 7

The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team will again take part in the NHL Hockey Fights Cancer program during the team's home game, presented by ECMC, Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. against the Edmonton Oilers. As part of an NHL-wide initiative to raise money and awareness for cancer research, the Sabres will host events throughout the night with the help of local cancer patients and their charitable organizations.

Fans attending the game will have the opportunity to purchase autographed "RJ" hats for $20 in honor of Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret and his fight against cancer. The hats have been donated by New Era Cap Co., and will be sold before the game and until they are sold out. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to cancer care and research.

To commemorate the night, all Sabres players will wear purple jerseys and use sticks with purple tape during warm-ups, and the jerseys and sticks will be auctioned off on NHL.com immediately following the game to benefit cancer care and research. There also will be a ceremonial puck drop before the game, so fans are strongly encouraged to be in their seats early.

Wives and girlfriends of the Sabres players and ECMC volunteers also will be stationed at tables throughout the concourse to help fans fill out "I am fighting for ___" placards to be held up at a designated time during the third period. Additional informational tables will be found in the 100 level pavilion, including ECMC's table where volunteers will be raffling off a pink Gilbert Perreault jersey.

In addition to the events happening in the arena, area Tim Hortons locations will be selling "I love the Sabres" donuts. $20,000 from the sales will go toward the ECMC Lifeline Foundation.

Over the past two years, the Buffalo Sabres' Hockey Fights Cancer fund has donated $15,000 to Flashes of Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for children's cancer while honoring the unique life and memories of every child fighting cancer. Several Sabres players went to Roswell Park Cancer Institute this past summer to visit with patients who benefit from Flashes of Hope.

Members of Camp Good Days will join other cancer patients from Carly's Club, ECMC, Roswell Park and WNY Hospice Essential Care throughout the game in suites donated by the Sabres organization and captain Brian Gionta.

Hockey Fights Cancer is a charitable initiative founded in December 1998 by the NHL and NHLPA. It is supported by players, NHL member clubs, NHL alumni, the NHL Officials' Association, professional hockey athletic trainers and equipment managers, corporate marketing partners, broadcast partners and fans throughout North America. The goal of Hockey Fights Cancer is to raise money and awareness for national and local organizations involved in cancer care and research.

To date, through the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, the NHL's U.S. and Canadian charitable foundations and NHL supporters and fans have donated more than $14 million to support national and local cancer research institutions, children's hospitals, player charities and local cancer organizations.

Hockey Fights Cancer is also a component of The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice, the NHL's and NHLPA's social responsibility program that builds on hockey's longstanding tradition of addressing important social issues in North America and around the world. For more information about Hockey Fights Cancer, visit hockeyfightscancer.com.