Devils Honor Cancer Survivors on Hockey Fights Cancer Night

NEWARK, NJ -- The last two and a half years have been a battle for 9-year-old Santino Anastasia, who is currently being treated at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a form of cancer that starts from early version white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow. Since he was diagnosed in March 2014, Anastasia has undergone a variety of intensive treatments including chemotherapy and painful shots in both of his legs.

Prior to Friday night's 3-2 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, the New Jersey Devils signed Anastasia to a one-day contract and had a chance to meet the players in the locker room. He also participated in the ceremonial puck-drop at center ice before the game. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was made possible by the Devils, who were supporting the NHL's annual Cancer Awareness Month initiative Hockey Fights Cancer Night. The club also honored several other cancer survivors before and during the game while raising more than $55,000 for the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Foundation.

“I was very excited when my mom told me about (the opportunity) on Wednesday,” said Anastasia, who added that he was also happy to miss school. “It was great to meet all the players."

The players were just as happy to meet him. In fact, Devils starting goaltender Corey Schneider asked for his autograph and stashed it his locker before the game.

“This is just one great example of what people do for children,” said Santino's mother, Michele. ““The amount of people that have such love and compassion is so amazing, it’s overwhelming. I heard that this is the first time the Devils are doing this and I hope they continue doing it because it’s more than just a day for my son. I can't tell you how much it meant to him.”

Anastasia is currently in the 'maintenance' phase of his treatment, which consists of monthly chemotherapy treatments and 'lots' of medication. His final chemotherapy treatment is scheduled for July 2017.

In addition, the Devils honored Jennifer DeJesus, a breast cancer survivor as its 'Hero of the Game' and was recognized on the Jumbotron with her family in the second period. She was diagnosed at 36 years old when her kids were two and fours years old. When in for surgery in March 2015, she was told that an additional early stage cancer not apparent on her original mammogram was discovered. DeJesus endured five months worth of chemotherapy treatments following surgery that ended in August 2015.

"It’s an honor, but at the same time I just did what every mom, sister, and daughter did that has to face this ugly disease," said DeJesus, who is currently participating in a clinical trial at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center that is ongoing through July 2017. "You just put the gloves on and fight. The awareness is what’s key. That’s what it all boils down to, especially being a younger survivor, if I can bring attention to people in my age group and make them realize it’s not too young to get started and have to pay attention to your breast health, then it would be worth it.”

DeJesus credits early detection to her Stage 1 Breast Cancer recovery and says that the journey she had may not have been the same if it was treated any later. She stressed the importance of getting tested.

"Go get tested, listen to your instinct," DeJesus explained. "Early detection is key. You have to face things head on."

Practically everything throughout the arena featured a lavender theme on Friday from LED lights outside the arena and on the scoreboard to the players' jerseys.

During their pre-game warm-ups, Devils players wore special edition lavender-colored jerseys to raise awareness for cancer. After the game, the jerseys were signed and put up for auction at www.NewJerseyDevils.com/Hockey... Bidding ends on Friday, November 11 and the prices for the jerseys start at $200.

Leading up to the game, Devils players promised to match $1 for each retweet they received on their #OneJerseyOneFight tweets. Forward Adam Henrique received the most retweets with 11,622.

On the main concourse, wives of the players and coaches pitched in by selling 500 mystery signed pucks when the doors opened at 6:30 p.m. and sold out in less than 30 minutes.

“This is great. I think that everyone is effected or touched by cancer at some point in their lives they know someone who has had it or is currently battling it," said Ashlee Casper, Devils forward Kyle Palmieri's girlfriend, who helped with the sales of signed 'Mystery Pucks,' which raised $10,000 alone. "It's important that the entire league is raising awareness for this, especially the Devils."

In addition to honoring Anastasia and DeJesus, the Devils invited several other cancer survivors on the ice during the pre-game ceremony.

Samantha Dango, from Cranford, performed the National Anthem and was accompanied by her mother, Nancy, who is a cancer survivor.

Sam Schneider, 8, South Orange; Matthew Velastegul, 11, Newark; Tyler Lock, 13, Nutley; Sabur Clark, 5; Keishla Pacheco, 11; Christopher Krakowiecki, 5; Vanessa Garcia, 10; and Emily Rodriguez, 12, joined the Devils’ starting lineup on the ice for the National Anthem.

The Florham Park Police Department stood in honor of Florham Park resident Christian Isola, who was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on April 27, just a few days prior to his second birthday. He is currently hospitalized and has started undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

All proceeds from the fundraiser benefited The Valerie Fund Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at The Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, a RWJ Barnabas Health facility.