Please support Hats For Heroes tomorrow night!

Tomorrow night is a special night for the Jackets and their Hats for Heroes program.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS RECOGNIZE HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER™ NIGHT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OHIOHEALTH ON SATURDAY AT NATIONWIDE ARENA

Blue Jackets Foundation to honor heroes and raise awareness for fight against pediatric and other cancers during game against Los Angeles Kings

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the team’s charitable foundation recognize the National Hockey League’s Hockey Fights Cancer™ Awareness Month with a special Hockey Fights Cancer Night in partnership with OhioHealth on Saturday, Oct. 17 when the Jackets host the Los Angeles Kings at Nationwide Arena. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

In support of the Blue Jackets Foundation’s signature program, Hats For Heroes, and its mission to fight pediatric cancer, the Foundation will host more than 20 pediatric cancer heroes and their families during Saturday’s game.

The heroes and their families will also be involved by selling Hats For Heroes hats and t-shirts at several locations throughout Nationwide Arena. Thanks to a generous donation by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 and Relay Gear, 100% of the hat sales will directly benefit the Foundation’s pediatric cancer research initiatives.

NHL.com also has a story titled "Ryan Salmons' spirit lives on in Columbus".

"Even today, I cannot even comprehend the magnitude of Ryan and what he meant to the community and the Blue Jackets," Ryan's father, Brad Salmons, told NHL.com. "I was so busy helping Ryan that I just never saw the impact he was having. I mean, I tell people who want to help that sometimes I just want to sit in the corner and grieve, but I can't because that's not want Ryan would want."

He's right. When NHL.com was on the scene for the historic opening two playoff games in Columbus last spring, the Salmons family graciously opened their home to us for an exclusive interview with Ryan.

"When the doctors diagnosed me, my first thoughts were, 'I can't have cancer, I'm an 18-year-old kid who is physically fit,' " Salmons told NHL.com in a one-on-one interview last April at his Grove City home. "I've been lifting weights for a year and a half. I've been staying on top of my physical stuff so there's no way I can have cancer."

Cathy, who's daughter Coryn has battled cancer, via email encourages everyone who can to get out to the game tomorrow and support this great cause:

"Please remind everyone to come out tomorrow night and support not only our great guys on the ice - but also the kids who's lives they have touched..Ryan, Sam, Coryn, Noah, Hannah, Seth..... I could go on and on...."

In some sad news Cathy also went on to share...

Some additional sad and somewhat related news to pass along - one of the kids from the "Dude Where's My Hair" cast passed away last night. Samantha McCarthy was a courageous 12 year old girl who has been fighting cancer for the last five years.

You can learn more about Samantha's story by visiting her Caringbridge web site here.

I have a daughter of my own and just can't imagine going through something like this but this is reality for a lot of families out there.

This is a great chance for folks to make a difference. If you have the means to donate a few dollars or to buy a Hats For Heroes hat it all makes a difference for these families and especially the kids who battle this disease every day of their young lives.

My hat is off to these families and to the Blue Jackets for such a great program and my heart goes out to all the young kids fighting this fight. Stay strong and let's see if the Jackets can get a big win for all of ya tomorrow night!

For more information on Hats For Heroes and all that the Columbus Blue Jackets foundation does please visit their official web site.

For those that can't make it to the game and would like to make a contribution you can visit the official CBJ Hats For Heroes to do so.

A small note to share from that web site:

Thanks to the generous donation of the Capital City Lodge #9 Foundation, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the Hats For Heroes hats are dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer.



-LTL