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Black out Cancer with the Minnesota Swarm

April 12, 2011 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm will host the second annual Hive Cares night on Saturday, April 16 on Treasure Island Field at Xcel Energy Center. The team will sport commemorative pink helmets and jerseys as they take on the Philadelphia Wings at 7:30 p.m. CDT. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund.

Last season, the NLL launched its first "Black Out Cancer" campaign to raise money and increase awareness of the disease. Each of the league's 10 teams will host a "Black Out Cancer" event during a 2011 season home game, the benefits of which will go to support a local charity.

The Minnesota Swarm has partnered with the Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund, an organization that supports the cancer community in Minnesota by funding research, prevention, treatment and other programs relating to the cancer community. The Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund has very low administrative costs, enabling over 90 percent of the generated funds to go directly to local charities in Minnesota.

"The Hive Cares night is near and dear to my heart, as I lost my mother to cancer during the 2009 season," said Minnesota Swarm Co-Owner & Vice President Andy Arlotta. "In my heart, this night's game is played for her and all the others who have battled cancer. We are excited to partner with the Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund this year. With their involvement we will be able to reach out to more people who can benefit from this night."

In 1995, Randy Shaver started the Celebrity Golf Classic in order to raise money for cancer research and awareness. The Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund was later founded in 2003 to help ensure that the money raised would be used to fund cancer research and related projects in the state of Minnesota.

"I'm excited to have the Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund partner with the Minnesota Swarm," said KARE 11 Sports Director Randy Shaver. "We are working hard to fund the very latest cancer research and patient aid projects in Minnesota with the hope that one day we can help find a cure. We're grateful to the Swarm for wanting to be a big part of what we do."

A number of efforts will take place to help reach the fundraising goal for the night, including: an online jersey and helmet auction, tribute T-Shirt sales and a $1 donation for every Hive Cares game ticket and Swarm Performance Team (SPT) calendar purchase. Cork's Irish Pub will also donate 100% of the proceeds from every Crème Br=FBlée purchase during the month of April.

Local companies are encouraged to contribute to Hive Cares night by sponsoring the event on various levels. All sponsorships include donating tickets to send cancer survivors to the game, in-game recognition and a direct donation to the Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund. Individuals are also welcome to make donations. Please call 888-MN-SWARM to find out about how to contribute.

This year's event will also feature a Coaches Challenge, in which Head Coach Mike Lines will donate $10 per goal scored by the Swarm.

"I am extremely excited to be a significant part of an organization that is built upon contributing to such a great cause," said Lines. "I hope that the actions and contributions of the team staff and personnel will spread throughout the Minnesota Swarm and entire lacrosse community and will influence fans to follow in our footsteps. I would also love to see this become a trend amongst other sports teams and organizations across North America."

Those interested in matching the Coaches Challenge donation should contact Alissa Thielman at athielman@mnswarm.com by 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 16.

For more information on the Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund, please visit www.randyshavercancerfund.org.

Lower level single game tickets can be purchased for as low as $24 for the Swarm's remaining two home games in April. Tickets are available online at mnswarm.com or by calling 888-MN-SWARM.



National Lacrosse League Stories from April 12, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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