Be Brave and Shave

Posted: November 19, 2014 at 9:47 am, Last Updated: February 13, 2024 at 1:18 pm

Children's Hospital visit 3For a second year, Mason’s Ice Hockey is participating in a fundraising event for Children’s National Health System in its fight to beat pediatric cancer. From November 1st through December 13th the team expects to raise $20,000 through ticket sales, raffles for autographed sports memorabilia, silent auction, donations, and sponsorships. Before, during and after the December 13th Commonwealth Cup game between Mason and Virginia Commonwealth University, players will symbolically shave their heads to join children who have lost their hair from chemotherapy.

Players from Mason Ice Hockey visited Children’s National Health System on October 17, 2014 to get a first-hand look at the advancements medicine has made in fighting pediatric cancer. Not only did the players get a chance to see the site of the future Healing Garden which will turn a 7,200-square-foot gravel rooftop into a healing outdoor space, they also visited several other areas of the hospital. They began their tour in the Diabetes Care Complex, visited the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, saw the state-of-the-art Pain Medicine Care Complex – one of the few pain clinics in the world, and ended their tour on the Hem/Onc floor – where the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders is located. This floor houses both the inpatient and outpatient areas for children fighting cancer.

 

The players brought t-shirts and pucks to distribute to the kids on the floor. According to Megan Trenery, Development Coordinator, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, “Because the guys were wearing their jerseys, the kids were especially excited! The players made sure that all the kids got signed shirts and pucks – it truly was a sight to see the patients smiling and excited about their signed shirts. I also think that the players were really able to connect with our mission to end childhood cancer while visiting the Hem/Onc unit.” Trenery commented that several parents thanked the players for making sure that their child received a signed shirt. She added, “It’s really nice to see members of the community coming to visit the kids and planning events to help our cancer program. Treatments are long and hard for both kids and parents – and visits like the George Mason team bring smiles to patients, families and care providers alike.” Nick Blake, a junior in Applied Information Technologies, says, “It made us all realize what we were raising money for.”

 

Coach Hyjek, Head Coach for Mason Ice Hockey since 2010, says, “I’m a big believer in giving back to the community. This event costs us nothing to do. Prince William Ice Center donates the ice, the officials donate their time, Hair Cuttery employees donate their time and Glory Days participates for free.” According to Hyjek, this is a full team effort. All the players take the fundraiser seriously and have their own web pages where donations can be made to each specific player. To donate, go to http://childrensnational.donordrive.com/.

 

Be Brave and Shave has support from organizations in the DC area including local police, firefighters, private schools, sports teams, and patient families in order to raise funds and awareness for the cancer research program at Children’s National Health System. George Mason joins their efforts to bring attention to this important endeavor.

Game information:

  • December 13, 2014 2:40pm at Prince William Ice Center
  • Tickets ($10) are available now from a member of Mason Ice Hockey, at each home game at the ticket sales desk, or via email shyjek@bakerdonelson.com.
  • Free shuttle bus from the RAC at 2pm to Prince William Ice Center to the first 35 students
  • Game can be seen live via crossicefeed.com

For more information about the Mason Ice Hockey team, or to make a donation, visit www.gmuicehockey.com.