By Mason Lyttle (@MasonLyttle) | Feb 21, 2018 | 5:08pm
JANESVILLE, WI – The Janesville Jets and the American Cancer Society are again partnering on American Cancer Society Night, a benefit promo night this Friday, February 23rd, at the Janesville Ice
Arena as the Jets play the Coulee Region Chill.
The night’s features and festivities include a 20-person ceremonial puck drop, performed entirely by cancer survivors, and an on-ice, post-game luminaria ceremony with Jets players.
Jets captain Kip Hoffmann has a particular connection to the night. In October’s Pink in the Rink weekend, an event benefiting Mercyhealth Regional Cancer Center, Hoffmann took the game’s ceremonial faceoff from his grandmother, herself a cancer survivor.
“The puck drop from October with my grandma will always be a memory I will take with me,” he said. “It was such a special moment to share with my grandma, who battled so hard against cancer and beat the terrible disease. These nights mean a lot to us players, our amazing fans, and our organization because everyone is affected by cancer, and it’s not an easy subject to go about alone. We all come together for these events and show the kind of family we are.”
Hoffmann said he’s looking forward to every Jets player taking a draw on Friday.
“It means a lot to our team to participate,” he said. “Every player gets paired up with a cancer survivor. That puts smiles on so many faces.”
American Cancer Society volunteer Tammy Brown has been helping Relay for Life raise funds by serving as a regular Jets bartender for four seasons. She and fellow ACS volunteers collect tips for their program all season, and always look forward to the Jets’ American Cancer Society Night.
“This event means a great deal to the American Cancer Society,” said Brown. “We can’t fight the fight against cancer alone. It takes a whole community. Having this fundraising event at the Jets game gets the community involved in ways that they might not otherwise.”
Brown said the event raised around $1,300 last season between bartending tips, a bucket pass, and a jersey raffle.
“Cancer is a devastating life event, so knowing that the community cares enough to recognize and support our survivors and reach deep into their pockets to contribute to the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives through research, advocacy, education, and service, that means more than words can say.”
Brown, like Hoffmann, said the puck drop is the most special part of the evening.
“Every one of those survivors on the ice is there because of research that the ACS sponsored to introduce a new drug, or treatment protocol, or because the ACS provided free services to a patient to help them through their treatment, or because the ACS reminded them that a mammogram could mean the difference between early detection and a stage four diagnosis,” she said. “It puts faces on the importance of supporting the American Cancer Society’s mission.”
Tickets are still available for Friday’s event. Click here to order online, or visit any Lions Quick Mart store in Janesville for discounted ticket vouchers.