Region – The Fourth annual Skating for Hope will be held from Friday, Sept. 19, at 5 p.m. to Saturday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m. at the Hart Center at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.
This 24-hour long fundraiser was founded by cancer survivor and Westborough native David McGrath, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor during his senior year of high school at St. John's in Shrewsbury. After six rounds of chemotherapy treatments, McGrath's tumor disappeared, and since then he has dedicated his life to helping those fighting cancer.
“Skating for Hope is a way people can have fun and fight cancer at the same time,” McGrath said.? “Even if you can’t skate, you can volunteer, win a raffle prize, or watch hockey games.? I’ve been amazed at all the support Skating for Hope has received over the years, and been happy with the way it has grown and the people that return year after year.”??
In between the open skate times, Skating for Hope features hockey games that attendees can watch:
????????? Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. College Alumni Game (past games have included former hockey players from Holy Cross, Boston College, Boston University and the University of New Hampshire);
????????? Friday, Sept. 19, 10 p.m. Game between St. John's High School Alumni and Westborough High Alumni (played in memory of Danny Manning Jr. and Greg Montalbano, two men McGrath knew who passed away from cancer at a young age); and Saturday, Sept. 20, 3 p.m. Game with Worcester Firefighters, Worcester Police Department and other special guests.
There will also be raffles with items donated by the Boston Bruins, Red Sox and other local businesses, in addition to Chuck-a-Puck for a prize.
This year's event features Worcester native Paul “Dr. Hook” D’Amato from the movie “Slap Shot,” Doug Smith, author of “Goon,” whose life was the basis of the movie of the same name, Finz from the Worcester Sharks, Blades and Ice Girls from the Boston Bruins, and Star Wars characters from the 501st Garrison.
McGrath currently works as the night manager at Hope Lodge and oversees the spending of the funds raised from Skating for Hope. He is currently securing sponsorships and looking for more volunteers and skaters.
The cost is free to enter; minimum $10 donation for unlimited skating. Register at www.skatingforhope.org.
The entire McGrath family – (l to r) Jon, Colleen, Tom, Brendan, Conor, Dave, Megan, Jen, MaryBeth, Carolyn, Carol, and Paul – poses for a photo at the end of 2012's “Skating for Hope” fundraiser.
photo/submitted
Fourth annual Skating for Hope to raise funds for cancer patients
Region – The Fourth annual Skating for Hope will be held from Friday, Sept. 19, at 5 p.m. to Saturday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m. at the Hart Center at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.
??? This 24-hour long fundraiser was founded by cancer survivor and Westborough native David McGrath, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor during his senior year of high school at St. John's in Shrewsbury. After six rounds of chemotherapy treatments, McGrath's tumor disappeared, and since then he has dedicated his life to helping those fighting cancer.
??? “Skating for Hope is a way people can have fun and fight cancer at the same time,” McGrath said.? “Even if you can’t skate, you can volunteer, win a raffle prize, or watch hockey games.? I’ve been amazed at all the support Skating for Hope has received over the years, and been happy with the way it has grown and the people that return year after year.”??
??? In between the open skate times, Skating for Hope features hockey games that attendees can watch:
????????? Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. College Alumni Game (past games have included former hockey players from Holy Cross, Boston College, Boston University and the University of New Hampshire);
????????? Friday, Sept. 19, 10 p.m. Game between St. John's High School Alumni and Westborough High Alumni (played in memory of Danny Manning Jr. and Greg Montalbano, two men McGrath knew who passed away from cancer at a young age); and
????????? Saturday, Sept. 20, 3 p.m. Game with Worcester Firefighters, Worcester Police Department and other special guests.
??? There will also be raffles with items donated by the Boston Bruins, Red Sox and other local businesses, in addition to Chuck-a-Puck for a prize.
??? This year's event features Worcester native Paul “Dr. Hook” D’Amato from the movie “Slap Shot,” Doug Smith, author of “Goon,” whose life was the basis of the movie of the same name, Finz from the Worcester Sharks, Blades and Ice Girls from the Boston Bruins, and Star Wars characters from the 501st Garrison.
??? McGrath currently works as the night manager at Hope Lodge and oversees the spending of the funds raised from Skating for Hope. He is currently securing sponsorships and looking for more volunteers and skaters.
??? The cost is free to enter; minimum $10 donation for unlimited skating. Register at www.skatingforhope.org.
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