Mountain View, CA - October 9, 2013 - As this year's hockey season gets underway, El Camino Hospital cancer patients received a special visit on Monday, October 7, from San Jose Sharks players –Tyler Kennedy, Jason Demers and Matt Irwin, as well as Dan Rusanowsky, the "Voice of the Sharks" and mascot S.J. Sharkie. The players visited with patients both on the in-patient floor, as well as in the infusion center where they took pictures and signed autographs.
"Cancer is a disease that still affects too many members of our community, which is why we are grateful to the Sharks for helping us raise awareness not just during Breast Cancer Awareness month but all year long," said Shyamali Singhal, MD, medical director, El Camino Hospital Cancer Center. "For our patients, having the opportunity to meet some of their favorite players in person gives them additional encouragement to continue their brave fight."
The players' visit was part of the Sharks Foundation's participation in the NHL's "Hockey Fights Cancer" program, a league-wide effort to support national and local cancer research institutions, children's hospitals, player charities and local cancer organizations. Locally, the hospital and the Sharks have created a multi-faceted partnership.
"We are pleased to have a five-year partnership with the Sharks focused on increasing awareness and education in heart health, orthopedics and cancer for the Silicon Valley," said Chris Ernst, vice president of Marketing & Communications for El Camino Hospital. "We are grateful for their continued support of our patient community and for being a committed partner in health education."
High resolution photos can be accessed through the following link: app.box.com
Photo Credit: Mike Ichikawa, El Camino Hospital
About Hockey Fights Cancer
"Hockey Fights Cancer" is an initiative founded in December 1998 by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association to raise money and awareness for hockey's most important fight. To date, through the NHL's US and Canadian charitable foundations, more than $12.8 million has been raised under the "Hockey Fights Cancer" initiative to support national and local cancer research institutions, children's hospitals, player charities and local cancer organizations. The "Hockey Fights Cancer" program is also a component of the NHL's "Biggest Assist Happens Off the Ice" campaign - the League's long-standing tradition of addressing important social issues in North America and around the world.
About the Sharks Foundation
The Sharks Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of youth and families in our community with an emphasis in the areas of Education, Health and Safety, and Character Development. The Sharks Foundation supplies emergency aid when appropriate, executes unique and relevant programming, supports the advancement of youth hockey and provides financial support and resources to organizations that enrich the lives of those in need. Since its inception in 1994, the Sharks Foundation has donated nearly $7 million to non-profit groups throughout Santa Clara County.
About El Camino Hospital
El Camino Hospital is an acute-care, 443-bed, nonprofit and locally governed organization with campuses in Mountain View and Los Gatos, Calif. In addition to state-of-the-art emergency departments, key medical specialties include heart and vascular, cancer care, urology, orthopedic and spine, genomic medicine, and the only Women’s Hospital in Northern California. The hospital is recognized as a national leader in the use of health information technology and wireless communications, and has been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center as well as back-to-back ANCC Magnet Recognitions for Nursing Car