Hockey Fights Cancer Night in Buffalo slated for March 18

Sabres to host 700 frontline workers & their guests at the game

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday announced the team, in partnership with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, will host its Hockey Fights Cancer Night during the home game against the Boston Bruins at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18.

“Hockey Fights Cancer Night is an important night for our entire franchise and our community,” Sabres owner and President Kim Pegula said. “It is a night where we all come together to support patients and their families in their fight against cancer and to remember those we have lost to the disease. This year we are honored to welcome over 700 frontline workers and guests from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center to the game in recognition of their contributions and dedication to our community.”

The frontline workers who attend the game will be the first fans in attendance at KeyBank Center for a Sabres game this season. The Sabres will honor the frontline workers during the game on the video board to thank them for their contributions to the community. Each frontline worker and guest in attendance will receive a commemorative Hockey Fights Cancer scarf.

As part of an NHL-wide Hockey Fights Cancer initiative to raise money and awareness for cancer research, the Sabres will host fundraising events throughout the evening on the Sabres broadcast and the team’s social media platforms. In addition, for a donation of at least $50 to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, fans will receive an autographed Sabres Hockey Fights Cancer mini helmet. All proceeds from all fundraising efforts will be donated to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“Partnering with the Buffalo Sabres for this unique Hockey Fights Cancer experience gives Western New Yorkers an opportunity to celebrate life and rally together for those affected by cancer,” said Candace Johnson, Ph.D., Roswell Park president and CEO. “The awareness and support of Roswell Park’s important work from the Sabres community brings us one step closer to a world where people no longer have to fear a cancer diagnosis.”

To commemorate the night, all Sabres players will wear lavender Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys and use sticks with lavender tape during warmups. Sabres coaches and broadcasters will be wearing commemorative Hockey Fights Cancer pocket squares. The jerseys will be auctioned off at Sabres.com/Auctions immediately following the game.

Earlier in March, three Sabres players surprised Roswell Park cancer patients with video messages and signed jerseys. Sabres broadcasters Martin Biron and Brian Duff also welcomed cancer survivor and elementary school teacher Mary Guevara and her family to KeyBank Center for a ceremonial puck drop, which will be broadcast prior to the start of the game.

An online auction featuring Sabres autographed merchandise and unique experiences will run this week at Sabres.com/Auctions. This auction will start at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, and close at 9 p.m. Sunday, March 28, with all proceeds benefitting Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

For more information, fans can visit Sabres.com/HockeyFightsCancer.

The Buffalo Sabres Foundation mission statement is “To identify and support local organizations which share our core objectives: serving children and military personnel, caring for the sick, assisting physically and mentally challenged athletes, and supporting youth hockey initiatives. By utilizing financial resources and community influence, the Buffalo Sabres Foundation assists these organizations and their beneficiaries in realizing their highest potential and succeeding in their endeavors.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in upstate New York. Learn more at RoswellPark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or [email protected].

Hockey Fights Cancer is an initiative founded in December 1998 by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association to raise money and awareness for hockey's most important fight. The Hockey Fights Cancer initiative is supported by the National Hockey League Foundation, the NHL Foundation, players, NHL member clubs, NHL alumni, the NHL Officials' Association, Professional Hockey Trainers and Equipment Managers, corporate marketing partners, broadcast partners and fans throughout North America. To date, the Hockey Fights Cancer programs of the National Hockey League Foundation (in the U.S.) and the NHL Foundation (in Canada), along with NHL supporters and fans, have donated more than $16 million to support the cancer programs of national and local cancer research institutions, children's hospitals, player charities and local charities. For more information about Hockey Fights Cancer, go to hockeyfightscancer.com.