Springfield Thunderbirds donates $40,000 to Rays of Hope 

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Springfield Thunderbirds have announced that they have donated $40,000 to the Rays of Hope during their 7th annual Pink in the Rink game back in March.

According to the Springfield Thunderbirds, a check was presented to the Rays of Hope at the MassMutual Center during this year’s Pink in the Rink game, which had a sellout crowd of 6,793. This game was created in the T-Birds’ inaugural season in 2016-17 and celebrates the commencing of the Rays of Hope fundraising efforts every March to highlight breast cancer awareness outside of the traditional October awareness month.

Since it was created, the Thunderbirds have collected over $140,000 for the Rays of Hope Foundation, all of which stays local in western Massachusetts in pursuit of a cure. Rays of Hope has also raised over $17.2 million to help support the women and men living in western Massachusetts touched by breast cancer.

“We are so appreciative of our partnership with the Rays of Hope and equally overwhelmed by the support of our fanbase every year for Pink in the Rink,” said President Nathan Costa. “The visuals of this event elicit so much inspiration, and we are privileged to celebrate these brave fighters whose strength and perseverance are unmatched. We cannot wait for next year’s event to break even more records, and furthermore, we long for the day a cure is discovered.”

“The generosity and enthusiasm of the Springfield Thunderbirds players, staff, and fans have made a significant impact on Rays of Hope’s mission to support those affected by breast cancer here in Western Massachusetts,” said Baystate Health Foundation Manager of Events Michelle Graci. “They are champions both on and off the ice and we are honored to be partnered with them. This year’s Pink in the Rink was an incredible evening of hope and strength, and the compassion of our Thunderbirds family proved yet again that no one faces breast cancer alone.”

“We are profoundly grateful to the Thunderbirds for their unwavering support and dedication to Rays of Hope,” said 2024-25 Rays of Hope Co-Charis John and Sandy Maybury. “Their generosity and community spirit have made a significant impact in our fight against breast cancer. The funds they have helped raise will go a long way in supporting research, providing patient care, and raising awareness. As co-chairs of Rays of Hope, and on behalf of the countless individuals and families they have touched, we want to say thank you to the entire TBirds organization for skating alongside us in this crucial journey.”

This year’s Rays of Hope Walk & Run Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer will be held on October 27.