StocktonThunder

Hockey, fans fight breast cancer in a flagship two-day fundraiser

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, a two-time recipient of the ECHL “Award of Excellence,” is scheduled to host “Thunder Goes Pink VI” presented by St. Joseph’s Medical Center in association with Blood Source and Union Bank at Stockton Arena on Nov. 4-5, for a two-game series against the Utah Grizzlies.

Considered the signature promotional event of the Thunder, the festivities return for a sixth annual season. The wildly popular series turns not only the games, but the weekend at Stockton Arena into a pink-hued spectacle for local breast cancer awareness and fundraising.

Sporting new pink jerseys on the pink ice surface last season, the Thunder put on a show which included a three-game sweep of the Bakersfield Condors. (photo by Sean Blair)

During the weekend, goals, giveaways and auction items will serve as symbols for the Thunder’s fight against breast cancer.

“The Stockton Thunder are again looking forward to bringing back Thunder Goes Pink for a sixth consecutive season,” said Thunder president Dan Chapman. “This two-day promotion is certainly one of the most popular that Thunder fans look forward to each season. It’s filled with many exciting promotional elements, while at the same time raising important awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer.”

Through five seasons, over 90,000 fans have had their hearts and lives touched by the event at Stockton Arena.

This November, fans in attendance can get involved by taking home an array of hockey collectibles and gift items in live and silent auctions held throughout the weekend, with proceeds benefiting the St. Joseph’s Foundation – Breast Cancer Services.

Fans in attendance can take a home a Thunder game worn jersey, which returns a unique design for the second straight year.

Special designed Thunder jerseys, featuring a black base and pink-accented bolts that run along the sides, will be worn by the players for both games (7:30 p.m.) and auctioned off live to fans after Saturday’s game against Utah.

In honor of the cause, the ice surface of Stockton Arena will be tinted a pink color for both games.

Fans can also take a weekend memento home through free giveaways. The first 1,500 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance at Friday’s game will receive a commemorative Thunder Goes Pink replica jersey, designed similar to the version worn by the players on the ice.

On both Friday and Saturday night games, the first 2,000 women (ages 18 and over) will receive a collectible “Thunder Goes Pink” rally towel, suitable for helping cheer on the Thunder during both games.

WALK, RUN AGAINST BREAST CANCER – GET V.I.P. TREATMENT

Also scheduled for the special weekend is the second annual “Thunder Goes Pink 5K Run/Walk” presented by St. Joseph’s Medical Center in association with Golden Bear Insurance Company, Sun Harvest Inc., Duraflame, Blood Source, Max Muscle and Fleet Feet Stockton as part of “Thunder Goes Pink VI” for Saturday, Nov. 5 at Stockton Arena beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Returning for a second straight year, the event supports “Thunder Goes Pink VI” presented by St. Joseph’s Medical Center in association with Blood Source and Union Bank.

Participants cross the finish line along Stockton Arena and its waterfront, in last year's inaugural Thunder Goes Pink 5K Run/Walk. (photo by Sean Blair)

Just like last year’s inaugural 5K Run/Walk event, individual participants will have the opportunity to become notable and recognized figures during Saturday night’s game.

Participants can mingle with select players for autographs and photos, win prizes and take advantage of additional fundraising opportunities to benefit local breast cancer education and prevention.

Entry for the event is $30 by registering by Nov. 2 at www.StocktonThunder.com and $35 by registering in-person at Stockton Arena on the day of the event. Participants ages 10 and under can register for just $10. Each participant will receive:

• “Thunder Goes Pink VI” 5K Run/Walk event t-shirt (guaranteed to the first 300 preregistered participants)
• Ticket voucher valid for a select Thunder home game
• Access to select Thunder players for autographs and photos
• Event goody bag (guaranteed for first 300 preregistered participants)
• Entry into event raffle for prizes
• Participants will be recognized via the videoboard at the Nov. 5 Thunder vs. Utah Grizzlies game
• Opportunity to collect individual pledges for event beneficiary
• Medals for the top age group finishers, trophies for the top open and masters finishers and great prizes for the top fundraisers
• Access to watch Thunder and Utah Grizzlies morning skate with awards ceremony to follow

Participants will start and finish the race at Stockton Arena, the home of the Thunder and progress in a course featuring a fast, flat loop along the picturesque downtown Stockton and Events Center waterfront setting.

Check-in and walk-up registration for the event is from 7:30-8:45 a.m. Participants are encouraged to park in Stockton Arena surface lots.

The weekend festivities yielded flawless success on and off the ice last season. Thunder Goes Pink V finished with a three-game sweep of the Bakersfield Condors, including Saturday night’s contest which was witnessed by 9,015 fans at Stockton Arena. Fans also helped raise over $42,000 in funds, which were donated to event beneficiaries: American Cancer Society – Stockton Field Office and St. Joseph’s Foundation – Breast Cancer Services.

Through five years of the event, the Thunder and its fans have raised over $187,000 to fight breast cancer through Thunder Goes Pink.