Rangers Honor Cancer Survivors on Hockey Fights Cancer Night

NEW YORK, NY – Hockey fans throughout North America have heard the courageous stories of cancer survivors thanks to the NHL’s league-wide cancer awareness initiative. On Tuesday evening, that campaign was in full effect at Madison Square Garden, as the New York Rangers honored several young cancer survivors from the Garden of Dreams Foundation before their 5-4 home loss to the Florida Panthers.

Eddie McCarthy, who was diagnosed with cancer just three years ago, welcomed the Rangers outside the locker room by giving players high-fives as they took the ice for pre-game warm-ups. He says that his family and love for the Rangers drives his fight for the disease.

Anthony Gregoretti, 8, of Levittown, NY and Johnny Higgins, 7, of Islip Terrace, NY, who were the youngest cancer survivors honored in the evening, participated in the ceremonial puck drop featuring Rangers alternate captain Marc Staal and Florida Panthers captain Derek MacKenzie. The boys, who met in a pre-school program for children with life-threatening illnesses shared a smile and handshakes with the players in a touching moment.

Gregoretti was diagnosed with Shwachman Diamond Syndrome, a rare bone marrow disorder syndrome when he was approximately 18 months old. He has battled the last six years through a very low immune system, pancreatic insufficiencies and respiratory issues.

Meanwhile, Higgins was diagnosed with leukemia at just two-years-old and after experiencing several years of remission, he relapsed last year and received a bone marrow transplant that he is currently fighting.

Bianca Muniz, 23, a two-time cancer survivor and multi-talented music artist beautifully performed the National Anthem in front of a sell-out crowd.

“It was such an honor for me to perform in front of the crowd tonight,” Muniz said during the first intermission. “It was so humbling that they introduced me with my cancer history.”

Recently diagnosed with breast cancer, Muniz had a double mastectomy and received her final chemotherapy treatment in July, but is still recovering in a post-therapy program. Earlier in her life, she battled ovarian cancer at the age of 11. She is living with a TP-53 gene mutation, which puts her at a greater risk of being stricken with another cancer disease.

“(My battles against cancer) have taught me a few things -- to not take life too seriously and just find the light in everything,” suggests an upbeat Muniz. “I try to focus on what’s important to me and forget about all the nonsense. Music has been a huge part of my life in getting through everything.”

“Instead of making me pull back from my music career, it made me want to chase my dream even more.”

Currently, Muniz is singing a music tour, which has taken her through seven different states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Her final appearance of 2017 will be in New York City next month.

After enduring two cancer treatments at different stages or her life, Muniz has some words for encouragement to those that have been recently diagnosed.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to people who have gone through the experience or to close family members,” she says. “Do what makes you happy and don’t let it stop you from doing anything.”

The Hockey Fights Cancer initiative hits close to home Rangers center Kevin Hayes, whose parents were both diagnosed with cancer when he was a young adult.

In an MSG blog post, Hayes recalled the times when his mother and then his father were diagnosed and how the community rallied around the household while they recovered.

“Tonight, when the Rangers host Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Madison Square Garden, I will be thinking of their support, and how, really, we can all hold one another up in continuing our shared battle against a disease that touches nearly every family at one point or another,” Hayes said in his blog before the game. “Twice my family faced cancer, and twice we got through it.”

“I am grateful now to have a platform to inspire others every chance I get — sharing my experience with children and others dealing with cancer.”

The special edition lavender colored warm-up jerseys and memorabilia will be auctioned off on the team website and fans have 10 days to bid on the items. All proceeds raised in the auction will benefit cancer research.

The NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative will conclude this week on Friday, December 1 as the St. Louis Blue host the Los Angeles Kings. The league-wide campaign continues to leave a lasting impression on cancer survivors and fans.