BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — More than 2,700 hockey players laced up their skates for a great cause over the last week and a half, as Sunday marked the closing ceremonies for the 11 Day Power Play.
For the last nine years, the 11 Day Power Play has taken to the ice to battle a disease that affects hundreds of thousands — cancer. This season proved to be another success.
“This is our biggest year yet, and we’re really excited to make an impact once again,” said 11 Day Power Play co-founder Amy Lesakowski.
“We are all skating together for one team” is how one player described the 11 Day Power Play, which for nearly a decade has used the sport of hockey — and the generosity of the community — to raise millions of dollars in the fight against cancer.
“Many, many people in our community have been affected by cancer unfortunately, and they want to do something about it. Coming to the rink over these 11 days has been really, truly special,” Lesakowski said.
A breast cancer survivor herself, Lesakowski created the event with her husband to break the world record for the longest consecutive hockey game — all while raising funds for a cure.
“It is a blast to be a part of this,” said Ben Marchione, the regional director of Make-A-Wish. “We are really fortunate as Make-A-Wish to be involved. It’s all for the fight against cancer, and our team is made up of volunteers, board members, and friends. We are all here together for the same reason.”
What started with only 40 skaters now boasts over 90 teams. The more than 2,700 players on those teams each needed to raise at least $255 to participate, but organizers say that on average each player raises around $750.
The event has grown so much that it technically ran almost 12 days this year.
“We’ve grown, and the only way to grow is to add extra time to the event — and we were able to do that this year,” said Lesakowski. “We’ve added extra shifts, had a long waiting list, and really wanted to include as many people as possible to support the incredible beneficiaries we have.”
Over the last eight years, the 11 Day Power Play has raised more than $13 million, with over $7 million going to Roswell Park. The event has also helped send more than 700 children to Camp Good Days and supported more than 340 wishes through Make-A-Wish.
Last year, the event raised $1.6 million. This year, donations topped that total, reaching $1.65 million — a true testament to the spirit of Western New York.
“Buffalo is an incredible city. They provide support to people in need, and the 11 Day Power Play is literally giving hope to many out there in the community battling cancer,” Lesakowski said.
“I think this is the perfect blend of Buffalo right here — everybody coming together through hockey to do good for people fighting in our community, shoulder to shoulder,” said Marchione.
If you are interested in signing up for next year’s event,
click here
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