The University of Georgia hockey team will be partnering with Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer (BBBC) and St. Mary’s Hospital of Athens for their first ever “Pink in the Rink” hockey game on October 5. The Bulldogs welcome University of Alabama-Birmingham to the ice for a 7:30PM puck drop and encourage all fans to wear pink for the game.
The Ice Dawgs will be wearing special edition breast cancer jerseys against UAB that will be auctioned off after the game along with several other UGA hockey items. All of the proceeds from the auctions will go directly to BBBC and St. Mary’s Hospital. In addition, 1,500 fans will be given “Pink in the Rink” rally towels for the game.
“The pink in the rink game vs the University of Alabama Birmingham should be a fun evening of hockey and entertainment,” Georgia hockey’s general manager John Camp said. “It’s also a great opportunity for our players to do something to embrace the Athens and UGA communities they represent, and to help bring awareness to breast cancer. We’re hoping for a great turnout, and high bids on the jerseys to help Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer and the St. Mary’s breast health imaging program.”
BBBC is a 501-C3 nonprofit charity in Athens that raises money for St. Mary’s Hospital and Teresa’s Hope. Teresa Abbott was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and battled the disease for 18 months. After Teresa was pronounced cancer free, the Abbott family created BBBC to fight breast cancer through early detection and assistance to women in need who may not have the resources to get the services they need.
“UGA Hockey has had a lot of success in recent years and we are proud to partner with them,” BBBC board member Dwight Strandidge said. “It is a win-win to be able to cross-promote the Pink in the Rink event, raise the level of awareness in the local community about our charity and the UGA hockey club.”
BBBC has raised just over $750,000 to date to provide free mammograms for women in need in the northeast Georgia area, as well as educational materials on the importance of early detection. After raising $105,000 in 2017, BBBC’s goal is to raise $125,000+ in 2018.
Follow UGA Hockey on Facebook or Twitter for more updates on the game. To find out more about Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer you can visit their website at www.bulldogsbattlingbreastcancer.com.
