Hershey Bears Host Pink the Rink Night
Hockey team joins up with Penn State Health in fight against breast cancer
The Hershey Bears once again teamed up with their fans in the fight against breast cancer, with the return of Pink in the Rink, presented by Penn State Health, during Hershey’s game against the Chicago Wolves on Saturday, Oct. 19.
The game’s programming was geared towards supporting breast cancer awareness and honoring those affected by the disease, including a pre-game puck drop featuring the family of Tiffany O’Donnell, who passed away in August at the age of 43 after braving a hard-fought journey with breast cancer.
Several Bears players used pink stick tape during the course of the game, including Matt Strome and Spencer Smallman, whose grandmothers are both breast cancer survivors, along with defenseman Brad Hunt, who used the stick tape in honor of his cousin’s wife who is also a survivor. Others such as Mike Vecchione and Riley Sutter, while not knowing anyone immediately close to them who had battled breast cancer, nonetheless added the tape to their sticks in solidarity.
Bear Nation always goes All In in the fight against breast cancer 🩷 pic.twitter.com/wRY9yAfExa
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) October 20, 2024
The game also featured informative PA announcements and reminders encouraging early breast cancer detection. All fans in attendance received light-up pink wrist bands, signifying unity with the Bears and Penn State Health in the fight against breast cancer.
The Bears will next team up with Penn State Health for Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Saturday, Nov. 30 against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Joining the efforts of the National Hockey League, Hockey Fights Cancer unites the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families.