Emmalyn Reid

BOSTON, MA – As Boston Bruins’ newest alumni member Tuukka Rask laced up his skates in the locker room of the Warrior Ice Arena, hockey lovers of all ages began to fill the stands. This game, however, was not just for fun. While the captivating game held an uplifting and energetic atmosphere, every dollar raised went to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute supporting those fighting an unthinkable battle.

“Now we see what the money goes to. The care, the patient support, the research, the family support,” explains Sarah Byrnes, mother of a childhood cancer survivor who had been diagnosed at just 2 years old. “For us it means a lot, because now we have our son with us still.”

Watching her son Cian drop the ceremonial first puck was a magical moment for the Byrne family; a testament to the weight of the work done by Dana-Farber. Established in 1947, the Boston-based research institute and treatment facility is highly revered as one of the best in the world. Thanks to the support of the organization, Cian is now celebrating 8 years cancer-free.

That’s precisely why Randy Suckney, Cian’s patient partner through the Dana-Farber Boston Marathon program chose the organization in the first place. Just a week shy of running the Boston Marathon for one last time, Suckney packed the stands at Warrior Ice Arena with the help of the Boston Bruins Alumni. As Captain of his team dubbed “The Good Guys” sponsored by G Bar & Kitchen, Suckney lead the face-off against Bruins alumni like Andrew Raycroft, Adam McQuaid, Frank Simonetti, and Tuukka Rask in his first ever game as an official alum.

“When I was playing we would do hospital visits and give back that way. This is something that I’ve never really experienced before,” says Rask. “Actually get to do something fun, play hockey and raise money so it’s fun to be a part of.”

To donate to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute directly, visit https://www.dana-farber.org. If you have an event you’d like to pitch to Emmalyn to cover, email emmalyn@emmalynreid.com.