The Edmonton Oilers are dedicating Saturday to the fight against cancer. The NHL club will host its annual Hockey Fights Cancer game when the Vancouver Canucks visit Rogers Place for a 9 p.m. start. The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, the team’s charitable arm, will welcome children and families affected by cancer through the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Kids with Cancer Society and the Ben Stelter Foundation, according to a media release issued Monday. The Hockey Fights Cancer Mega 50/50 raffle launches Saturday and runs until Nov. 27, benefiting all three organizations. During Saturday’s game, the Alberta Cancer Foundation will be the sole beneficiary. “Hockey Fights Cancer is an amazing initiative because it is a National Hockey League initiative, and what it does is really coalesce that community,” Ryan Kelly, the vice-president of communications and community partnerships for the Alberta Cancer Foundation, told reporters on Thursday. “It’s a huge community, and our partnership with the Oilers and Hockey Fights Cancer really allows us to showcase that partnership in that community but also be able to talk about the impact.” The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and the Alberta Cancer Foundation will also present The Time Store near Section 119. The interactive pop-up experience encourages visitors to reflect on the value of time and learn how support for cancer initiatives “can help create more meaningful moments for those living with cancer,” according to a media release. “We all know someone who has been affected by cancer, and The Time Store gives our fans a chance to reflect on the gift of time, especially on a night like Hockey Fights Cancer, which holds special meaning for so many Albertans and their families,” Myrna Khan, executive director of the community foundation, said in a statement. Lavender, the signature colour of Hockey Fights Cancer, will feature prominently throughout Rogers Place. Fans will receive “I Fight For” cards to fill out and hold up during a pre-game ceremony. The team will also auction lavender-themed jerseys signed by players through a future community foundation auction, with proceeds supporting local Hockey Fights Cancer charities.
