Hockey Launches 2023 'Spartans Full Strength' Initiative
11/1/2023 3:25:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
East Lansing, Mich. – For the second straight November, Michigan State hockey will do its part to put a spotlight on cancer awareness and honor those who have been affected by the disease. The "Spartans Full Strength" initiative begins on Nov. 1.
"This is an incredibly important initiative for our extended hockey family. Like any family, we have been deeply impacted by cancer," said Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale. "This is our 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 second consecutive year, the Spartans Full Strength initiative will partner with Brandon's Defense Foundation, a local 501c3 charity based in the Lansing Area which funds pediatric oncology research as well providing resources to families with children who have cancer.
For the month of November, there will be several initiatives for Michigan State's home games (Nov. 10-11 vs. Penn State, Nov. 17-18 vs. Wisconsin):
November 11 – Resilience
November 18 – Perseverance
November 19 – Fight
ABOUT BRANDON'S DEFENSE (www.staystrongdoit.com):
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 more than 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."
Coach Nightingale and players Gavin Best, Karsen Dorwart, Matt Basgall, and Nash Nienhuis participated in the 2023 "Golf for Gordie", benefitting the Brandon's Defense Foundation. Marilyn Williams, Marissa Oakley, Westin Oakley, and Julie Gordon - Brandon's grandmother, sister, nephew, and mother - are part of the corps of volunteers who run Brandon's Defense Foundation.
"This is an incredibly important initiative for our extended hockey family. Like any family, we have been deeply impacted by cancer," said Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale. "This is our 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 second consecutive year, the Spartans Full Strength initiative will partner with Brandon's Defense Foundation, a local 501c3 charity based in the Lansing Area which funds pediatric oncology research as well providing resources to families with children who have cancer.
For the month of November, there will be several initiatives for Michigan State's home games (Nov. 10-11 vs. Penn State, Nov. 17-18 vs. Wisconsin):
- Fans will have the option make an additional donation to Brandon's Defense while purchasing tickets on MSUSpartans.com. An anonymous donor has made a $10,000 'kickoff donation" to begin the campaign. Fans can donate directly at www.staystrongdoit.com/donate
- A limited number of commemorative pucks will be distributed from the Spartans Full Strength collection series during home games in the month of November.
November 11 – Resilience
November 18 – Perseverance
November 19 – Fight
- 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). We encourage fans to share their signs on social media using the hashtag #SpartansFullStrength (please tag @MSU_Hockey on X and instagram). For those who so choose, the signs can be left in bins at the exits and we will add those signs to the "Honor Wall" in Munn Ice Arena.
- Members of the MSU hockey staff will wear the Spartans Full Strength pins throughout the month of November (all eight games), and the players will wear helmet stickers.
ABOUT BRANDON'S DEFENSE (www.staystrongdoit.com):
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 more than 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."
Coach Nightingale and players Gavin Best, Karsen Dorwart, Matt Basgall, and Nash Nienhuis participated in the 2023 "Golf for Gordie", benefitting the Brandon's Defense Foundation. Marilyn Williams, Marissa Oakley, Westin Oakley, and Julie Gordon - Brandon's grandmother, sister, nephew, and mother - are part of the corps of volunteers who run Brandon's Defense Foundation.
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