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Hockey Conquer Cancer imageThe first ever Road ​​Hockey to Conquer Cancer event took place at Ontario Place on Saturday, October 1, with almost 200 teams raising more than $2 million for cancer research. 

​The event saw PM​​H join forces with the Canadian Cancer Society, with teams from all over Canada and the US taking part. The opening ceremony included hockey icon Don Cherry, Dr. Bob Bell, President and CEO, UHN, Paul Alofs, President and CEO, Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, Peter Goodhand, President and CEO, Canadian Cancer Society, and Scott Morrison, Executive Producer of Hockey, Rogers Sportsnet.

In an emotional faceoff, the ceremon​ial first ball dropped in front of 17-year-old cancer survivor Tyler McGregor. There was no opponent symbolizing those loved ones lost to cancer through the years. 

Each of the 200 teams played five games th​rough the course of the day, and in between, nursed aching muscles with massages, food, beverages, interactive games and live music. 

Teams gathered in the early evening arou​nd the feature rink to watch the top ten fundraisers take on a team of celebrities, including former NHLers Jeremy Roenick, Bryan Trottier and Reggie Leach, figure-skating champion Elizabeth Manley, Tyler Stewart of the Barenaked Ladies and many more. 

The closing ceremonies were emceed by Steve M​​erker from PMHF and James Duthie of TSN. Dr. Peter Ferguson, head of the Sarcoma site at PMH, spoke on behalf of the doctors participating in the event.  Tyler McGregor, who was an elite hockey player before losing a leg to cancer, and was treated by Dr. Ferguson, spoke passionately about why this event was important to him and to all the young men and women who face a cancer diagnosis. 

This was just the first such event, which will take place annually in Toronto, and beginning next year, across the country. For more info, go to www.teamuptoconquercancer.ca.​

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