11 Day Power Play raises money for local organizations

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- For the eighth year, hockey players are lacing up their skates for the same goal of raising money and showing those in the community with cancer that they are not alone during this year’s 11 Day Power Play at the LECOM Harborcenter.

“For anyone who is newly diagnosed with cancer, please know that your community is here to support you,” said Amy Lesakowski, the executive director and co-founder of 11 Day Power Play. “There are so many resources available.”

Over the years, the 11 Day Power Play has raised more than $12 million to go to local organizations, including Camp Good Days, Make-A-Wish, Oishei Children's Hospital and Roswell park.

“It shows to them there's others out there who care, that they're not alone in the fight and there's people like us and thousands of people in the 92 teams or whatever it is are playing,” said Leo McGorry, who’s in his seventh year of participating. “We're doing what we can to support them.”

“It just brings everyone closer in Buffalo,” said John Deveny, a participant for the past two years. “Buffalo is such a blue collar city that everybody has their backs no matter what.”

What all started as trying to break a world record of the longest game has grown into a tradition of the community raising money for cancer care and then playing three-hour shifts of hockey around the clock for 11 days.

“All that money has stayed local in our community and supporting critical care critical wellness programs for cancer patients and we're just extremely proud to see our players on the ice that really make this happen and our volunteers and donors,” Lesakowski said.

Whether they're out on the ice, in the stands or at home making a donation, there are many ways the community can help show their support for the 11 Day Power Play.

“Western New York is an incredible community and you can see it right here on the ice,” Lesakowski said. “Everyone is affected by cancer, and our players are here to do something about it, playing the sport that they love.”