As many of you already know, my son Nick and I are once again skating in the 2019 edition of the 11 Day Power Play.

Two years ago 40 players played hockey for 11 straight days, with players on the ice for every minute except for when the ice was being resurfaced, and raised over $1.2M to fight cancer.

Last year we played in the Community edition of the 11 Day Power Play and over 11 days raised inexcess of $1.25 Million dollars to fight cancer.

Once again Nick and I will be playing in much more reasonable 4 hour shifts. All money raised will be donated to Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Make a Wish Foundation.

Roswell Park is a world leading hospital for both the treatment of cancer and research. My daughter Julie has worked there doing research for the past 4 summers during college and that has influenced her into pursuing a carrier in medicine and she has this year started medical school.

Make a Wish grants the wishes of critically ill children, bringing normalcy to the lives of the ill children and their families during a period of extreme stress and anguish. Both are incredibly worthy causes.

Nick and I are playing on a team composed mostly of father and soon pairs. When asked if he wanted to play again Nick did not hesitate.  I, on the other hand, am once again concerned about my ability to play hockey for 4 hours but I survived last year and the cause is one I hold dear.

Both my wife Jennifer and my mom survived cancer, both because of Roswell Park. We also have a good friend and former teammate of Nick’s who was stricken with, and survived cancer, missing only 1 hockey season with the help of Roswell and Make a Wish, allowing him to play and live on. Roswell and Make a Wish saved not only Blake’s life, but supported his family as well.

Unfortunately, we also have experienced the flip side of cancer. My cousin Brad, a man I was very close to, died of cancer 12 years ago. Friends Julie and Keith lost their amazing son Pat to cancer. Harry Mooney, a great lawyer and better man was also lost to us. I remember to this day the announcement during math class in high school that one of my class mates had passed from cancer. I was in 11^th grade but recall it vividly.

This has gone on too long. There were so many more losses. We have all been touched by cancer and we all know that it must be eradicated.

This is why we play, to honor the survivors, to honor those who did not survive, and to help raise money to fight against this insidious disease to save our children, and their children.

If you feel able we would appreciate any donation to our team, I have included the link below. Thank you so much. David and Nick.

https://11daypowerplay.z2systems.com/np/clients/11daypowerplay/campaign.jsp?campaign=6&fundraiser=24717&team=164&

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.