If you look around HaborCenter during the 11 Day Power Play, you’ll notice a lot of emotion. Many are there hitting the ice, or cheering on a loved one, while honoring or remembering someone battling cancer.
Denise Bartosz and her daughter, Rachel, were in that crowd Monday morning. Matt Bartosz, Denise’s son, played in the marathon hockey game from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. He did so just four months after losing his father, Kevin, to laryngeal cancer.
“It’s very emotional, I’m really proud of my son for raising all the money for my husband,” Denise said. “And I’m really happy to have so many people here watching the players, and this great support system.”
As of Monday, more than $1.4 million has been raised for cancer charities. Matt himself raised more than $3,000. At his father’s funeral, the family asked for people to support cancer research, instead of donating flowers. Many donated to Matt’s 11 Day Power Play team, in Kevin’s honor.