SCHENECTADY, NY – The Union College men's ice hockey Coaches vs. Cancer night will be held when Union plays Princeton at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, at Messa Rink to benefit the American Cancer Society, the official sponsor of more birthdays. The event will be held in honor of Kristen Shinebarger, the 10-year old daughter of Shelly, Union's Director of Student Support Services. The game will raise funds to help support American Cancer efforts to help people in the Capital Region stay well, get well, find cures and fight back.

As part of the initiative, the Union coaching and support staff will wear sneakers as part of the Suits and Sneakers program, and the men's ice hockey team will wear yellow sock tape. Fans will have the opportunity to fill out an official Coaches vs. Cancer pin up card at the front entrance of Messa Rink in honor of those affected by cancer. The cards will be placed on a "Wall of Hope" inside the rink and displayed at future games. The hockey team has rallied around the event in honor of Kristen, who is battling Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

“On Saturday we're teaming up with the American Cancer Society, to host the Coaches vs. Cancer event in honor of Kristen, a 10-year old girl who has the heart of a champion and embodies the spirit of a warrior,” Union head coach Rick Bennett said. “We hope that fans will help us honor her strength and courage by donating to the American Cancer Society at our game against Princeton.”

In addition to supporting lifesaving American Cancer Society research, education and advocacy, the money raised by the Coaches vs. Cancer event will be used to support patient service programs in the greater Capital Region. Programs such as Road to Recovery, which provides free round-trip transportation for cancer patients to doctor visits and treatments, and Reach to Recovery, which helps breast cancer patients cope with their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, will benefit from the Coaches vs. Cancer game.

Together with millions of supporters, the American Cancer Society saves lives and creates more birthdays by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. For 24-hour cancer information, call toll free 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org