NHLPA and NHL Select ZERO as U.S. Prostate Cancer Charity for Hockey Fights Cancer™ Awareness Month

Free PSA Screenings and Prostate Cancer Awareness Activities to be Held at Select Games Throughout the NHL Season

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One in every six men will be affected by prostate cancer. It's one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. – and this year alone – more than 32,000 fathers, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, and friends will lose their battle with prostate cancer. That's why ZERO -- The Project to End Prostate Cancer is honored to announce its partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) for this season's Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Hockey Fights Cancer will make a financial donation to ZERO to help fund The Drive Against Prostate Cancer, which offers free PSA testing to men across America, as well as fund prostate cancer education and research programs in cities with high-risk populations. ZERO will also be providing free testing and educational activities at select NHL team home games during the season.

"With the enormous fan base of the NHL, this is a tremendous opportunity to educate men and their families about prostate cancer and the importance of early detection and testing," said Skip Lockwood, ZERO's CEO. "We're honored to work with the NHL and commend the league and its players for being leaders in the fight to end prostate cancer."

"The NHL is proud to support ZERO as part of our committed efforts during Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month in October," said Kenneth Martin, Jr., NHL Vice President of Community Affairs. "Through this partnership, we encourage our fans to participate in the free screenings and information available during select NHL games. The NHL is committed to helping find a cure for cancer."

"Through Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month, this relationship with ZERO has heartened all NHL players as it will further our fight against prostate cancer, moving us one step closer to ending the awful disease which has sadly touched so many men in the hockey community," said Devin Smith, NHLPA Director, Marketing & Community Relations

Hockey Fights Cancer's month-long campaign will donate $475,000 in grants to cancer organizations, including local cancer charities in the 30 NHL markets, as well as encourage and inspire its teams and hockey communities to rally together and raise money for cancer research, testing, and awareness programs.

About Hockey Fights Cancer™

Hockey Fights Cancer™ is a joint charitable initiative founded in December 1998 by the National Hockey League® and National Hockey League Players' Association. It is supported by players, NHL member clubs, NHL alumni, the NHL Officials' Association, professional hockey athletic trainers and equipment managers, corporate marketing partners, broadcast partners and fans throughout North America. The goal of Hockey Fights Cancer™ is to raise money and awareness for national and local organizations involved in cancer care and research. To date, Hockey Fights Cancer™ has raised more than $11 million.

About ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer

At ZERO, we commit ourselves not only to reduce prostate cancer or alleviate the pain from the disease, but to end it. We see a future where all men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer will be cured or manage their illness with good quality of life, with the support they need to minimize physical and emotional suffering, and to cope effectively throughout their cancer journey. To accomplish our goal, we provide comprehensive treatment information to patients, education to those at risk and conduct free prostate cancer testing throughout the country. We increase research funds from the federal government to find new treatments and we fund local grants to end the disease.

National Hockey League Players' Association, NHLPA and the NHLPA Logo are registered trademarks of the NHLPA. All Rights Reserved.

NHL, the NHL Shield and National Hockey League are registered trademarks and Hockey Fights Cancer and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer