by Paige Turner
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt patient Lochlin Morris was named Champ of the Game at the Nashville Predators’ Hockey Fights Cancer game on Saturday, March 6. Beginning last season, each home game features a Children’s Hospital patient on the jumbotron as a Vanderbilt Health Champ of the Game.
Hockey Fights Cancer raises funds to support childhood cancer initiatives at Children’s Hospital through the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund presented by Twice Daily. Over the past nine years, the 365 Fund, created by Predators’ goalie Pekka Rinne and former captain Shea Weber, has given more than $3.3 million in donations and in-kind contributions to the hospital and its programs.
“We know that the past year has presented challenges for businesses across the country, and the professional sports industry has not been spared,” said Debra Friedman, MD, who holds the E. Bronson Ingram Chair of Pediatric Oncology and is director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Children’s Hospital. “We have been blown away by the continued support of the Nashville Predators during this difficult time. They have never missed a beat in their dedicated support of our hospital, and we are so grateful. Hockey Fights Cancer and the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund have already done so much to help advance research and improve outcomes for our pediatric cancer patients. We can’t wait to see what breakthroughs this year’s support will make possible.”
While patients were unable to attend the game due to COVID-19 health safety precautions, they were still honored from afar through Champ of the Game, a virtual puck drop and fundraising activations throughout the game. Predators’ players Matt Benning, Mark Borowiecki, Dante Fabbro and Eeli Tolvanen also visited with patients virtually during the week with the help of the hospital’s Seacrest Studios.
“Over the past year, despite being unable to come together in person to raise funds and awareness for the 365 Fund, our fans have proven yet again their commitment to our Hockey Fights Cancer efforts,” said Nashville Predators Vice President of Community Relations Rebecca King. “We are thrilled to finally be able to host another Hockey Fights Cancer game, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt for many years to come.”
