Today’s game:
Who: Gems vs. Fort Wayne, Pink in the Rink Night
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Hara Arena
TROTWOOD — Larry Sterling was a fourth-grader when he saw his grandmother succumb to a terrible illness. Mary Sterling was diagnosed with breast cancer and the Dayton Gems goaltender can vividly recall the images he witnessed some 20 years ago.
“I remember going to visit her in the hospital,” Sterling said. “I saw what that disease was capable of.”
According to breastcancer.org, about one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer over their lifetime. In 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in the U.S., as well as 57,650 cases of non-invasive breast cancer.
Those statistics are why the Gems are stepping up for the second consecutive year. The Gems host the Fort Wayne Komets at 7 p.m. for Pink in the Rink Night, a fundraiser that will benefit three local women’s groups. Proceeds will go to The Noble Circle Project, The Women’s Wellness Fund at Kettering Medical Center and a newcomer this year, the Pink Ribbon Girls.
“Cancer affects so many people,” Gems president Joe Greene said, noting that many staff and team members are among them. “We realize it’s just one night out of the year.
“Providing a community impact and helping provide that quality of life, regardless of wins and losses, is what it’s all about.”
Last year’s event was a huge success. The pink jerseys the Gems wore were auctioned off after the game to raise funds and the same will happen this year with a fresh pink-and-black look.
“People really got behind it, especially the female demographic,” said Greene, who pointed out that 45 percent of the team’s fan base are women. “We introduced the game of hockey and the Gems hockey experience to a lot of new female hockey fans.”
Greene said it’s the organization’s goal to build on the event each year, making it bigger and better.
In addition to the jersey auction, the Gems have created a special “Go Pink” calendar featuring players posing with pink hockey gear.
Fans also will have the opportunity to purchase pink-themed team merchandise and autographed memorabilia. The first 500 women through the gates will get a special pink Gems tote bag and the first 150 women will get a pink carnation from Furst Florist.
Finally, fans who wear pink to the rink will receive a $1 off their ticket price.
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