Hockey Team Raises $60K for Cancer Survivors in Washington

When the Wenatchee Wild takes the ice this Saturday night, they'll be fighting for something bigger than a win against Kelowna.

The Western Hockey League team will host its annual "Hockey Fights Cancer" night at Town Toyota Center, continuing a tradition that has raised $60,000 for the EASE Cancer Foundation. Every dollar from ticket sales, game-worn jersey auctions, and the Chuck-A-Puck promotion will support cancer survivors in North Central Washington.

The Cashmere-based EASE Cancer Foundation provides educational programs and enhanced care services for people battling cancer in the region. These resources help patients and their families navigate treatment, understand their options, and connect with support networks during one of life's toughest challenges.

Gretchen Littler, who works in the Wild's front office and is a cancer survivor herself, knows firsthand why this event resonates so deeply. She says the fundraiser has become one of the team's most meaningful events because cancer touches nearly every family in some way.

"I don't think there is anyone in the world that, unfortunately, doesn't have a story," Littler explains. Whether someone has faced cancer personally, lost a loved one, or supported a friend through treatment, the disease creates connections that turn a hockey game into something much more powerful.

The February 28th event transforms the ice rink into a tribute space, with the surface covered in personal dedications to those affected by cancer. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the 6 p.m. game, giving fans time to read these heartfelt messages before the puck drops.

The Ripple Effect

This fundraiser shows how sports teams can anchor community healing in ways that extend far beyond entertainment. The Wild has created an annual gathering place where grief, hope, and action meet on common ground.

By combining the excitement of hockey with meaningful fundraising, the team gives fans a way to channel their experiences with cancer into tangible support for neighbors facing similar battles. The $60,000 raised over the years has funded countless educational sessions, care services, and support programs that make the cancer journey less isolating.

This weekend, Wenatchee will prove once again that the best fights happen when communities stand together.