MSU Sponsors 'Spartan Hockey Strong' Throughout November

East Lansing, Mich. -- Michigan State hockey has announced a month-long "Spartan Hockey Strong" campaign that will put a spotlight on cancer awareness and honor those who have been affected by the disease.

"Our hockey family - like many families - has been deeply impacted by cancer," said Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale. "This is a small way to honor the people who we care about deeply. We want to engage with our community to honor those who have been impacted – not just those individuals battling cancer, but their families, loved ones, and caretakers."

For the month of November, there will be several initiatives for Michigan State's home games:

$1 of each ticket purchased for home November games will be donated by MSU Athletics and Spartan Hockey to Brandon's Defense Foundation. Brandon's Defense is a 501c3 charity based in the Lansing Area which funds pediatric oncology research as well providing resources to families with children who have cancer. Learn More about Brandon's Defense.

Fans will have the option make an additional donation to Brandon's Defense while purchasing tickets on MSUSpartans.com.

The first 500 fans at the first three home games in November will receive a commemorative puck from the Spartan Hockey Strong collection series.

At each home game, "I Honor" signs will be available for fans to fill out on the concourse to give fans a space to honor and support individual journeys (those who we have lost, those currently undergoing treatment, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones). The the signs are available for download if you would like to participate remotely, or on social media (please tag @MSU_Hockey on twitter and instagram).
For those who so choose, the signs can be left in bins at the exits of Munn Ice Arena and we will add those signs to the "Honor Wall" in Munn Ice Arena.

Download printable "I Honor" sign

Downloadable social media assets will be available and we welcome everyone to share using the hashtag #SpartanHockeyStrong.

Download "I Honor" image for Instagram Stories

Members of the MSU hockey staff will wear the Spartan Hockey Strong logo throughout the month of November (all eight games).

ABOUT BRANDON'S DEFENSE:
DeWitt teenager Brandon Gordon met the Spartan Hockey team through their visits to Sparrow Hospital as part of the Spartan Buddies program. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in January of 2007, Brandon developed a quick friendship with his fellow hockey players, and spent a lot of time with the team during their run to the 2007 National Championship and throughout the next two seasons. Brandon passed away in February of 2009, and the foundation was officially launched as a 501c3 charity in his honor in May of that year.

The mission of Brandon's Defense is to increase the awareness of childhood cancer, fund pediatric research and to provide resources for children with cancer. The vision is to continue to fund research to increase survival rates for all cancers, so that one day every child can be guaranteed a treatment – and ultimately, a cure.

All of the initiatives for Brandon's Defense are executed by volunteers.

Brandon often wondered why "childhood cancer" is rarely in the media... why the protocol he was on was 30 years old... and why there were no more options for him to keep fighting! Even with countless tumors throughout his entire body and extreme difficulty breathing, Brandon still wanted to fight! Brandon asked if we could same day raise money for pediatric cancer research to provide more treatment options for kids. Our mission was developed based on what was helpful to Brandon throughout his journey and to honor his request to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Brandon's Defense will carry on the fight in his honor - to help kids with cancer in Mid-Michigan and fund childhood cancer research so hopefully some day soon every child *will* win their battle with cancer.

"We are thrilled to be able to continue a relationship with Michigan State hockey which goes back 15 years - it began when the team befriended my son Brandon during his cancer journey," said Julie Gordon, President/Founder of Brandon's Defense. "We want to ensure that we do our part to fund cancer research to provide better treatment options and to eventually, find a cure. No child should have to fight cancer alone, therefore we also assist children and their families in the Mid-Michigan area with their cancer journey. We are a small, all-volunteer organization with an incredible drive to make a big difference! Our efforts are achieved by collaboration with individuals and organizations that share a similar vision. We are grateful for the continued support from Michigan State athletics and the hockey program, this relationship means a great deal to our family and our foundation's mission."

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