Fans are encouraged to wear lavender, the official color of Hockey Fights Cancer, representing all cancers
The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to honor those who have experienced or are currently facing the journey of cancer by hosting a special Hockey Fights Cancer Night in partnership with OhioHealth. The event will take place on Thursday, November 21, as the Blue Jackets face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive an exclusive Hockey Fights Cancer fleece blanket. Attendees are encouraged to wear lavender, the official color of Hockey Fights Cancer, representing all cancers.
A special ticket package is available for the first 500 purchasers featuring a discounted game ticket and an exclusive Hockey Fights Cancer Adam Fantilli bobblehead.
The evening will feature powerful stories including the debut of the Blue Jackets Foundation’s 2024 Class of Pediatric Cancer Heroes. The Blue Jackets Heroes program honors a group of kids fighting cancer. The Heroes and their families are welcomed into the Blue Jackets family through several unique experiences including a special on-ice introduction during Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
Cancer survivors Molly Oldham, Lila Urbanic, and Aria Tarantine are set to deliver a powerful rendition of the national anthem for the first time as a trio. Each has performed the “Star Spangled Banner” at Hockey Fights Cancer Night in previous years – Oldham in 2019, Urbanic in 2022, and Tarantine in 2023.
More than 1,000 individuals representing families and the cancer care community will attend the game for free including Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, A Kid Again, Flying Horse Farms, Karis Cause, NC4K, A Special Wish Foundation, Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and more.
Fans will also have opportunities throughout the night to show their support and recognize loved ones with a variety of activities. A variety of ribbon colors will be provided by OhioHealth, located near the McConnell entrance on the main concourse, for fans to place on a giant cancer ribbon in honor of someone they fight for.
Battle cards will also be available for fans to write their connection to the fight against cancer. During the game, fans will be asked to display their “I Fight For…” cards in recognition of cancer survivors and all those who have been touched in some way by the disease. For those at home, battle cards are available digitally for fans to download, print and share a photo of themselves on social media using #HockeyFightsCancer. Fans can visit bluejackets.com/hockeyfightscancer to download the battle card.
The fight against pediatric cancer has been one of the Blue Jackets Foundation’s primary areas of focus since the team’s inception in 2000. Each season, the Foundation hosts a series of Hockey Fights Cancer fundraisers supporting programs for pediatric cancer patients and their families, including therapy through distraction, critical research projects, and assistance in providing palliative care for youth. Last year, the Blue Jackets raised $115,000 through Hockey Fights Cancer initiatives. This season, the Foundation’s efforts can be supported by participating in the following:
To learn more about the evening’s events and how to support Hockey Fights Cancer initiatives, visit BlueJackets.com/HockeyFightsCancer.
Founded in 1998 by the NHL and NHLPA, the first national cause program pioneered by a major sports league, the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative powered by the V Foundation presented by AstraZeneca has raised more than $36 million since its inception. Last season, Hockey Fights Cancer celebrated its 25th anniversary by setting a fundraising record of over $4 million in its first season as Hockey Fights Cancer powered by the V Foundation for Cancer Research. From that total, $2.9 million was raised with the V Foundation and will go directly to life-saving cancer research through 10 research grants to the best and brightest scientists across the U.S. and Canada. As part of that $4 million+ raised, $1.2 million was raised by Clubs for local cancer-related organizations and charities in the Clubs’ communities.
