Hockey 4 Hope game at SUNY Broome on Saturday

• Hockey 4 Hope is established in honor of Constance Glauser, who passed away of breast cancer in 2006
• Hockey 4 Hope raised $25,000 last year, with almost 800 people attending the event

In 2010 Brian Laing and a group of weekend warriors threw together a charity hockey game and raised $4,000 for local cancer survivors.

Five years later the event has grown into the corporate-sponsored Hockey 4 Hope and has donated $50,000 to the Lourdes Foundation, which passes the money along to be administered through The Geller Oncology Fund.

"I never really expected the game to get to this point, with corporate sponsors anmd support," Laing said. "It started out as just a few fellas, whose families have all been affected in some way by cancer, wanting to do something.

"After the first game, my friends came back to me and said 'Let's do it again.' "

This year's game is Saturday at 7 p.m. at SUNY Broome. Admission is free and all of the proceeds from the event stay in the community. Make-A-Wish of Central New York will also benefit from this year's game. Laing said the ice will be dyed pink on Thursday.

Hockey 4 Hope was established in honor of Constance "Connie" Glauser, who died of breast cancer in 2006. The goal was to help alleviate the financial burden associated with cancer.

The two teams are made up from a group of 37 men and one woman from around the country — most who Laing has met through his playing days — who have paid $150 to register. Among the players are professional skateboarder Mike Vallely and former Binghamton Senator Chris Bala.

Sponsors and supporters of the event include the Binghamton Senators, Binghamton Mets, Dick's Sporting Goods, Applebee's, the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League and Mirabito Energy Group.

"We want to get the word out about this event and the support from the community has been incredible," Laing said. " We are going to have the Broome County Celtic Pipes and Drums; it's going to be a great event ."

Hockey 4 Hope raised $25,000 last year, with almost 800 people attending the event. Established in 2000 by Dr. Marilyn Geller to honor the passing of her husband, Dr. Sandy Geller, The Geller Oncology Fund provides financial assistance to local cancer patients who demonstrate extraordinary need.

HOCKEY 4 HOPE

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: SUNY Broome Ice Center

TICKETS: Free admission, doors open at 6

BENEFITS: The Geller Oncology Fund at Lourdes Regional Cancer Center and Make-A-Wish of Central New York.