Number of Participants: 100
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $3,380
Event Amount Raised: $75,000
Event Type: Health & Medicine
Sport: Boys Ice Hockey
Date: January 31, 2022
Location:
Westwood High School
Nahatan Street, Westwood
MA
About:
In May of 2017, my mother Reo Todesca was diagnosed with stage 3b Squamous Cell Lung Cancer. To honor her fight, with the help of Xaverian Brothers High School, we partnered up with the Canton Ice House to host a Hockey Fights Cancer day in which both Canton High School and Xaverian would play back to back games and all proceeds would go to cancer research programs. The games were going to take place on 2/3/2018 with Reo in attendance, unfortunately, she was unable to make it after passing away on 12/28/2017. The games then became a memorial tribute to her and all others that have succumb to the awful disease.
In just four years Hockey Fights Cancer has raised over $150,000 and established The Reo Todesca Memorial Foundation to honor Reo and keep her memory alive. The foundation also makes donations to help fund cancer research programs that will provide patients and families with prevention, screening, treatments and support so that more lives will be saved with the goal to “Conquer Cancer”.
After our one year COVID pause we finally get the opportunity to invite spectators back to the rink. This year we have three games over two days at the Canton Ice House. On Wednesday Matt Sebet’s Westwood High School Wolverines took on rival neighbor Dedham High School and shut the Marauders out with a 3-0 win during their third time participating in Hockey Fights Cancer.
On Sunday January 30, 2022 it will be a HFC double header. For the first time in the event history we will bring the game to the youth level where my son Paulie (Reo’s Grandson) and his Mite A Canton Bulldogs take on Milton Youth Hockey at 10:30am. Earlier this season with, the help of their very generous parents, the Bulldogs raised over $5,000 for The Reo Todesca Memorial Foundation and will get the chance to wear the purple at this year event.
Finally closing things out, our main event will be Xaverian Brothers High School taking on Catholic Conference rival BC High at Noon. Without the support of Xaverian this event would not be possible and it’s an honor having them headline for the 5th time.
All proceeds from the day will be donated to The Reo Todesca Memorial Foundation and American Cancer Society.
- 4 MIAA High School Team participate in the event with Xaverian Brothers High School and Westwood High School being the host schools
- Roughly 100 total (25 per team)
- We spend the entire month leading up to the game promoting it and raising funds
- $75k raised in our annual Hockey Fights Cancer Day!
- The host schools will put posters at the school, share on social media, and raise money for the event. Each Westwood and Xaverian player commits to raising $100 each. The visiting schools also have an optional donation commitment. All the BC High players and coaching staff have donated.
You can see more on our website: https://www.reosfoundation.org/hockey-fights-cancer