By: Stingrays Media
The South Carolina Stingrays, in conjunction with MUSC Health, hosted their annual Pink in the Rink game on Saturday, March 25th, to raise awareness for breast cancer. The Stingrays celebrated survivors and those still fighting in front of a crowd of nearly 5,000 fans with the first 1,000 fans in attendance receiving a Pink in the Rink rally towel, courtesy of MUSC. Thanks to the generosity of their partners and fans, the Stingrays were able to raise a total of $9,000 through a specialty game-worn pink and white jersey auction and other raffles throughout the game for their 7-3 win over the Maine Mariners.
“Our partnership with the Stingrays has been a long-standing benefit to so many patients in our community struggling to pay their bills while battling breast cancer,” said Mason Ward, Board of Directors for Share Our Suzy. “We are so grateful for this event and its lasting impact on so many. Thank you to the Stingrays fan base for showing up and making a difference for so many families.”
All money raised will go to Share Our Suzy, a local foundation that aids those with bridging the financial gap from diagnosis to remission and by covering the critical areas that insurance companies do not. Funds raised are used to provide assistance to those with everyday needs such as wigs, prosthetics, childcare, gas cards, utility bill assistance, medication assistance, and more.
“The funds raised helped me relax and recover during my 16 chemo and 25 radiation sessions,” said cancer survivor Arielle Stratton. “I didn't have to worry about the finances, and I could just heal. Your donations are important because they help people in the worst time of their lives. The smallest bit does so much for people who did not plan on this happening and were unprepared. We want to thank the Stingrays along with their local sponsors and supporters for what they've done to help breast cancer patients.
Everyone knows somebody who has been affected by cancer. The Stingrays players and fans united in support of cancer patients and their families by filling out their own “I Fight For” signs that were shown off throughout the game and displayed on the arena wall. The Stingrays and Share Our Suzy showcased several stories of survivors through videos played on the jumbotron during the game and breast cancer survivors Cheryl Chandler and Lindsay Matthews were on the ice to drop the ceremonial first puck.
The Stingrays return to battle the in-state rivals, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena tomorrow, April 6th at 7:05 pm.
