This will be my first time participating in this event and I am grateful for the chance. I will be playing for my sister, Cheryl.

Cancer has shown its ugly face one too many times in my family. It took my Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle. In the beginning of last year, it showed up in Cheryl. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.  2018 was the year of hell for her. She went through surgery, 20 weeks of chemo treatments, and 6 weeks of radiation treatment. She never gave up. To start off this year, Cheryl receieved her last treatment and was able to ring the bell. She was given her life back again.

In the beginning, as my family, friends, and I sat in the waiting room at Roswell Park as my sister was in surgery, every so often we could hear the bell go off on the first floor and the whole place would celebrate with applaus. The bell meant Roswell gave someone their life back. If you are able to, please help us reach our fundraising goal. With fundraisers like this to help Roswell with their research and treatments, we can hear that bell ring more and more. 

This summer, more than 2,500 pairs of skates will hit the ice to play in the 2019 11 Day Power Play Community Shift to help in the fight against cancer! The 11-day game will be played in continuous shifts at Harborcenter in Buffalo, NY. This important event supports The 11 Day Power Play, raising critically-needed funds for cancer research and wellness programs at Roswell Park, Camp Good Days and Make-A-Wish WNY. While it is physically challenging to play in a marathon hockey game, it's a walk in the park compared to what most endure in their battle against cancer. Cancer is a disease that touches everyone, and The 11 Day Power Play wants to make an impact in our community. In the past two years, The 11 Day Power Play has raised nearly $2.5 million supporting cancer causes in Western New York.

Donations are graciously accepted online or by check. Please write checks out to 'The 11 Day Power Play' and send to PO Box 4, Buffalo, NY 14223. If you are interested in a sponsorship, contact Sara Schumacher today.

To learn more about the 11 Day Power Play organization, visit www.11daypowerplay.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.