BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN)....When the puck drops today on the start of the annual 11 Day Power Play. there will be fans inside the LECOM HarborCenter cheering on the first wave of hockey players.
But, just a little to the north - in the heart of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and within the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center network of buildings - there will be another wave of fans cheering for the local skaters.
"What they do is amazing," said Dr. Renier Brentjens, Roswell Park deputy director.
Since its inception in 2017, players in the 11 Day Power Play have raised more than $8 million that has made its way to Roswell to help fund cancer research.
In 2017 and 2021, 40 skaters played hockey for 11 straight days to raise dollars for Roswell along with Camp Good Days & Special Times and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In the other years, there has been a "community shift" when players skated in three hour shifts to raise funds.
""The story behind it is absolutely fantastic," Dr. Brentjens said.
Cancer touches everybody - in some way, shape or form.
The American Cancer Society says cancer directly touches one out of every three people and, with men, it is one out of every two males.
"Even, if you don't have it, you know someone, or have a family member, who has battled cancer," Dr. Brentjens said.
While Roswell has a professional staff to help raise funds and grants for cancer research, it is groups like the 11 Day Power Play skaters who carry a special place within the medical center.
"It really goes beyond words for what it means to us at Roswell,": Dr. Brentjens said.
The 11 Day Power Play goes until June 28.
Annual charity game aids Roswell Park
Annual charity game aids Roswell Park
