Region – Dave McGrath, who with his family and friends, organizes an annual fundraising event each fall, “Skating for Hope,” recently made three significant donations to help individuals with cancer and their families.
McGrath is a 23-year cancer survivor who now serves as the night manager for Hope Lodge, a facility in Worcester that offers free temporary lodging and support for cancer patients traveling to Massachusetts for ongoing treatment.
He organized the first “Skating for Hope” in 2011 as a way to raise money for individuals facing their own battles with cancer and their families. The fundraiser is a mix of open skating times for anyone who would like to try to skate as much as possible over a 24-hour period and scheduled hockey games between local high school and college alumni teams. Participants can choose to have friends and family members sponsor them for the skating portion.
Last month McGrath presented a check for $10,000 to Hope Lodge that will be used toward the purchase of a new van.
Recently he presented a check for $4,000 to the Boston Bruins Foundation that will be used to sponsor a night out to a Bruins game for children who have cancer.
He also made a donation of $2,000 to the Neely Foundation that will be used to help families who stay at the Neely House in Boston while their loved one is being treated for cancer. The Neely House was formed by Bruins great and current club president Cam Neely and his siblings as a way to honor their parents who both died of cancer.
For more information, visit www.skatingforhope.org.
Photos/courtesy Carolyn McGrath
