Through a shared love of hockey and a desire to help fuel the fight against breast cancer, three high school athletes – Thomas, Snowden and Logan – came together to create Puck Cancer. Since its inception, this annual all-star high school charity hockey game has raised more than $30,000, proving that teamwork and a shared vision can create real impact.
A Shared Love of Hockey Sparks the Creation of Puck Cancer
The idea that sparked Puck Cancer came to Thomas while chatting with friends about a student at another school who had started a nonprofit benefiting local soup kitchens.
“Talking and thinking about it felt like a call to action to do more,” Thomas said. “I texted Snowden and Logan and asked if they wanted to do something similar. The first thing that came to my mind was hockey because it’s what unites the three of us.”
Snowden and Logan agreed and the three friends began brainstorming what cause they wanted to support.
“When we talked about certain things that had affected our families, a common theme that kept coming up was breast cancer,” Thomas said. “We decided to organize an all-star charity hockey game to do our part to make a difference.”
The trio recruited top high school hockey players from around the state to fill the two team rosters. The inaugural event raised $11,000 and drew more than 200 hockey fans.
“There were several obstacles along the way, and we had limited resources, but with persistence and the support of the community, we accomplished what we set out to do,” Thomas said.
After the success of the inaugural game, the Puck Cancer team began planning an even larger event for 2026.
Building Momentum with Friendly Competition
They set a goal of $25,000 and immediately got to work recruiting top players and sponsors. Their first order of business? Increasing the fundraising requirement for players from $20 to $100.
“The fundraising pace was so much faster this year,” Thomas said. “We had several players who raised $1,000 individually, which shows that it’s more than just a game to them. It’s a cause they feel a part of.”
The 2026 Puck Cancer All-Star Game was held on Sunday, June 7, at the Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange, NJ. In addition to the proceeds from ticket sales, the Puck Cancer team sold event-branded T-shirts and organized a raffle featuring items including pucks, jerseys and sticks autographed by professional hockey players.
At the conclusion of the game, the Puck Cancer hockey fundraiser surpassed its fundraising goal, bringing in just over $26,000.
“Seeing the event raise $26,000 was both humbling and inspiring,” Thomas said. “What originally seemed like a far-off goal has now been exceeded. It showed just how much the hockey community believes in making a difference.”
A Legacy That Will Continue Beyond High School
While Thomas, Snowden and Logan will be headed off to college in the fall, they have left Puck Cancer in the hands of Alex, a rising senior who joined the team as creative director for the 2026 event.
“We’ve also had a ton of interest from college players, so we’re thinking of possibly adding a second game for older players,” Thomas said. “I don’t see Puck Cancer going away anytime soon.”
How to Start Your Own Breast Cancer Fundraiser
Inspired by the success of Puck Cancer? Organize your own hockey breast cancer fundraiser through Go Pink for the Cure, Komen’s sports fundraising program that encourages breast cancer awareness and healthy living. Get started today at Komen.org/GoPink.
Statements and opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
