2ND ANNUAL PURPLE PUCK NIGHT, COLLEGE HOCKEY COMBATS CANCER

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

On Friday December 6, 2019, PSU Altoona and College Hockey East have teamed together with a Hat-Trick of partners, which include the Mario Lemieux Foundation, The Griffith Family Foundation, and Easter for Eli for "College Hockey Combats Cancer" Campaign. The Nittany Lions will play host to Saint Vincent Bearcats in an effort to raise funds and awareness in the battle against cancer. So what is it? Our newest partner is the Mario Lemieux Foundation, and Jordan Curry, who is the program coordinator for the foundation which puts her in charge of events like the "Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K" and the "Mario Lemieux Fantasy Camp". Their foundation's biggest area of need is to connect to a younger generation of hockey fans who know Mario Lemieux was a great hockey player but do not necessarily know his entire story, particularly his battle with cancer. Our second partner is The Griffith Family Foundation, and Cathy Griffith and her signature initiative, which is "SIDELINE CANCER". The history of the Griffith Family Foundation is a tragic but inspiring chapter in the story of Greg and Cathy Griffith. Greg passed at the age 50 after a heroic 19-month battle. When he was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic and liver cancer in the prime of his life, he was told that time was limited. However, on hearing his diagnosis, he said to his doctor "What can Cathy and I do to help you?" Since 2012 the "Sideline Cancer Campaign" has raised over $290,000 to create awareness and find a cure for pancreatic cancer. Finally, our third partner that teams with the Lions is Easter for Eli. This organization delivers Easter Baskets to 21 children's hospitals across eleven states. The effort started in memory of Eli Garrett, who died from cancer in 2009, just 10 days before his fourth birthday. Last year Easter for Eli collected over 9000 baskets. For The evening will kick off with a ceremony to SUPPORT those who are fighting the disease, to CELEBRATE those who have beaten the disease, and to HONOR the families who have lost someone to cancer. Intermission activities will include a mini scrimmage between The Trackers Hockey team and The Johnstown Warriors Women's U12 team (promoting Lemieux's message to hockey fans of all ages). Between the second and third periods, PSU students will have a chance to win McDonald's gift cards. Fans will also have the chance to win Pittsburgh Penguin tickets (donated by Mike Magee, PSU Altoona Ice hockey assistannt coach). There will be several raffle baskets and gift cards, t-shirts, commemorative pucks, artwork by Tammy Stubbs and Greta Halbritter, and Pittsburgh Penguin tickets (donated by former hockey manager Cortney Dlubak and family). Finally, there will be an auction for an autographed hockey stick by Pittsburgh Penguin and Hollidaysburg's own Sam Lafferty, Pittsburgh Penguin vs Philadelphia Flyers (donated by former PSU player Alex Trier), and three autographed Mario Lemieux jerseys). So come out and support the Nittany Lions for "Purple Puck Night" on Friday December 6 at 5:00 PM and help College Hockey Combat Cancer.