Pink the Rink Continues to Raise Awareness & Support

Vermont State University's Castleton Women's Ice Hockey team continues their traditional Pink the Rink hockey game for the 15th year.

On Saturday, January 20, 2024, Vermont State University’s Castleton Women’s Ice Hockey team will host the 15^th Annual Pink the Rink game taking on Plymouth State University at 3pm at the Spartan Arena. 

Over the past fifteen years, the Castleton women’s hockey team has contributed close to $91,000 to the Breast Care program at Foley Cancer Center at Rutland Regional Medical Center.  During that time, the enthusiasm for this incredible event has been consistent with huge crowds of fans, Spartan Arena awash in pink, smiling breast cancer survivors, and always, very exciting hockey on the ice. 

As in previous years, Castleton will trade their traditional Spartan green apparel for newly designed, limited edition pink jerseys. The jerseys will be auctioned off on-line to raise awareness and funds in support of the Foley Cancer Center.  To bid on the auction go to https://www.32auctions.com/ptr2024 

In addition, there will be a varied basket auction and bake sale at the event, and 200 complimentary custom pink towels courtesy of Foley Services, Inc. will be given away once again this year. The cost of admission to the game on January 20th is $7 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. 

One of the strongest risk factors for breast cancer is a family history, and this year’s ceremonial puck drop will honor three sisters, Cathy Kozlik, Jill Burke, and Joan Olson all of whom are breast cancer survivors, and all of whom received their treatment at Rutland Regional.  Although years apart in their diagnoses and treatment, each can attest to the benefit of early detection and treatment as well as to the importance of advances being made in breast cancer research.  Cathy and Jill will represent the three cancer survivor sisters with the puck drop before the game.

While Pink the Rink is about raising funds and awareness, it is also a time for celebration of breast cancer survivors, a time to celebrate progress to find a cure and it signifies the power of many individuals and separate communities coming together to support a common cause.

So please join in this incredible effort and help to cheer on the Castleton Women’s Ice Hockey team on Saturday, January 20^th at 3pm.  To learn more about this year’s Pink the Rink, visit castletonsports.com

Fred Bagley is a retired surgeon who founded the Breast Care Program at Rutland Regional Medical Center in 1996, and he has been instrumental in the ongoing success of the annual Pink the Rink event.