Cardinals Support "Go Play" Campaign

Children's Cancer Research Fund

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Danielle Toohey
952.224.4152
DToohey@childrenscancer.org

Coon Rapids High School Girls Hockey Plays for Kids with Cancer

Coon Rapids, Minn. - The Coon Rapids Girls Hockey Team will be participating in Children's Cancer Research Fund's Go Play campaign, during their 7:30pm game against Hopkins at the Coon Rapids Ice Center.  They will also support this campaign on December 6th (7:30pm) against North Metro and January 14th (7:30pm) against Maple Grove.  The Cardinals will be honoring kids who face-off against cancer every day, and who someday will want to be able to have a chance to skate on the ice.

Today, 12,500 kids in the U.S. are sidelined by cancer.  They're robbed of the fun of childhood when they're worried about a blood count instead of counting the amount of goals scored, or learning how to steer a wheelchair instead of steering a bike.  Go Play is a grassroots awareness and fundraising campaign to help bring better treatments and cures to children affected by childhood cancer by supporting Children's Cancer Research Fund's groundbreaking research.  The Go Play campaign is inspired by children's play dates.  Through organizing a fun activity and inviting others to Go Play, an impact can be made.  The Go Play theme can be easily wrapped around existing activities too like sporting events, social gatherings or live entertainment.  Participants are also able to learn about a child, whose story will inspire guests to Go Play hard.  For more information visit www.whodoyouplayfor.org.

"I am very excited for our program to get involved with the Go Play initiative.  It is a great opportunity for our kids, as well as the community, to make an impact on something much bigger than the game of hockey," says Jessica Christopherson, Head Coach of the Coon Rapids High School Girls Hockey Team.  "This  program has given our staff and our players the opportunity to reflect on "why we play" and what really matters, not just in hockey, but in life.  We all take it for granted: the ice time, the training, the relationships, even our opponents."

During the game, pucks will be sold and participants will have to skillfully "chuck" their puck into a bucket that will be placed on the ice.  A portion of Chuck-a-puck proceeds will benefit Children's Cancer Research Fund.  Donations will also be accepted throughout the night.

"This has given all of us a much needed reminder that these things are all very special priveleges and should be valued as such.  I am very proud of our players, coaches, families and our fans for their interest and commitment to this initiative - collectively we can make a difference and bring awareness to this cause.  It is our hope that other teams will follow and we can form a pretty strong program to support and help these kids," says Coach Christopherson.

ABOUT CHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH FUND:
Children's Cancer Research Fund provides critical funding to the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center for research and training related to the prevention, treatment and cure of childhood cancers and is dedicated to improving the quality-of-life for pediatric cancer patients and their families.  While eight out of ten children diagnosed with cancer can be successfully treated today, cancer is still the leading cause of death by illness among children.  For more information about Children's Cancer Research Fund, visit www.childrenscancer.org or call 952-893-9355.