Schools

Westborough Hockey Alum Take Ice for Charity

Westborough native and cancer survivor organized a 24-hour event to raise money for Hope Lodge in Worcester.

Westborough native Dave McGrath, a cancer survivor, has organized a skate-a-thon to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Worcester. The Skating for Hope skate-a-thon will take place on Saturday, July 30 at Buffone Arena, 284 Lake Ave. in Worcester.

“When life gave me brain cancer at age 18, and simultaneously took the lives of young friends and other relatives as well as former Hope Lodge guests, I could only come up with one choice: fight back,” McGrath said. “This event is one weapon in that fight, and I hope the money we raise here will provide much needed support to cancer patients and their families.”

Organizers of the event hope that it will draw hockey players, skaters and supporters to skate or  support a skater. NHL referee Paul Stewart, also a cancer survivor, will officiate one of the many hockey games scheduled during the 24-hour event.

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alumni are scheduled to take the ice against St. John’s High School alumni in a game that will be played in memory of two graduates taken by cancer, Westborough resident Greg Montalbano (St. John’s class of 1995) and Daniel Manning (St. John’s class of 1992). Game time is 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 30.

Hope Lodge is a resource for cancer patients to access free, temporary housing during treatment in local hospitals. McGrath, who now lives in Worcester and works for the American Cancer Society, will skate for 24 hours on July 30 and 31 and hopes to raise $1 million. Since 2005, Hope Lodge has provided an estimated 13,500 free nights of lodging to cancer patients and their caregivers, saving the guests an estimated $1.2 million. 

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Saturday highlights of the family-friendly events include:

  • 10 a.m.: Opening ceremony
  • 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.: Open skate, free skate rentals available
  • 1 p.m.: NHL referee Paul Stewart will officiate Boston College alumni hockey game
  • 2 p.m.: Family games and prizes
  • 3 p.m.: Invasion by characters from Star Wars, on and off the ice
  • 4 p.m.: Finz, the mascot from the Worcester Sharks, will visit
  • 5 to 8 p.m.: Boston Bruins Ice Girls and Blades the Bruins mascot will be on hand for meet and greet
  • 8 p.m.: Hockey game between Westborough High School alumni and St. John’s High School alumni

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