The Rochester Knighthawks, in conjunction with Gilda’s Club Rochester, rolled out their Second Annual Movember Mustaches for Cancer Contest to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research. Last year, the Knighthawks doubled their fundraising goal by bringing in $4,100 to fight a disease that affects about one in seven men.
Once again the players and staff will split out into two teams as part of their Movember campaign. This year, it will be the Grizzled Veterans against the Fresh New Faces, as players with five-plus years of experience will try to out-fundraise the youngsters on the club.
“It’s what being a part of Rochester is all about,” said Grizzled Veterans captain Andrew Suitor. “The community supports us and we are here to perform and support the community in any way we can. We are all one family in Rochester.”
“We’re very excited to have the opportunity to raise money for Gilda’s Club Rochester, while enjoying a little competition with the vets,” said second-year pro Dan Lomas, who will lead the Fresh New Faces. “This is a great way for us to build team camaraderie, while also supporting such a great cause. We encourage everyone to donate and support the Fresh New Faces team as any amount counts.”
Fans are encouraged to vote for the team with the best mustaches by donating money to their favorite team’s donation page at www.knighthawks.com/Movember. The team that collects the most money by midnight on Thursday, Nov. 30 will be declared the winner. The net proceeds from the contest will benefit Gilda’s Prostate Cancer Support Group, which is the longest running prostate support group in Monroe County.
To follow the progress of the players and the staff go to www.knighthawks.com or www.twitter.com/rocknighthawks by using the hashtag, #Knighthawkstaches.
The Knighthawks will make a check presentation to Gilda’s Club prior to Opening Night on Saturday, Dec. 9 against the Calgary Roughnecks. The Movember contest is one of several initiatives that the Knighthawks will take part in to support Gilda’s Club Rochester, which also includes the Heroes Ball, Bachelor Auction, Crosscheck Cancer and Comics Against Cancer events.
“We’re excited to again partner with the Rochester Knighthawks for our Mustaches for Cancer initiative,” said Johanna Lester, director of events and communications for Gilda’s Club Rochester. “Their continued dedication to Rochester, and to raising awareness for men’s cancer health, is a great gift to our community!”
Gilda’s Club Rochester
The mission of Gilda’s Club is to Support, Educate, and Empower Cancer Patients and their Families. Our free comprehensive cancer program includes support groups, educational lectures and workshops for everyone impacted by cancer – men, women, teens, and children.
Grizzled Veterans
Andrew Suitor – team captain
Paul Dawson
Dylan Evans
Ian Llord
Joe Resetarits
Billy Dee Smith
Craig “Ripper” Rybczynski – broadcaster
Charlie Ragusa – Digital Media Coordinator
Matt Stathopoulos – account executive
Joe Schwab – account executive
Fresh New Faces
Dan Lomas – team captain
Josh Currier
Brad Gillies
Kyle Jackson
Luke Laszkiewicz
Austin Shanks
Mike Triolo
Jake Withers
Connor O’Shea – account executive
Cody Rinkus – account executive
Grizzled Veterans’ Donation link:
https://mustachesforcancer2017.causevox.com/team/GrizzledVeterans
Fresh New Faces’ Donation link:
https://mustachesforcancer2017.causevox.com/fresh-new-faces
