Lightning Defenseman Raises $20k for Moffitt Cancer Center

Chats about playoffs and hockey rivalries filled the halls of the infusion center at Moffitt Cancer Center’s Magnolia campus on Thursday afternoon as Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh stopped in to visit with patients and staff.   

The love of the game wasn’t the only thing Raddysh bonded with patients about. The athlete has a personal tie to cancer. He told patients and their loved ones about his father, Dwayne, who died from pancreatic cancer in March.  

This season, Raddysh and the Lightning launched the "Bald Eagle" merchandise initiative, following Raddysh’s nickname. They released a T-shirt and a bald eagle plush toy available to purchase for fundraising.   

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Moffitt Cancer Center (@moffittcancercenter)

Helping Others  

Inspired by his father’s journey with cancer, Raddysh presented a $20,000 check from the fundraiser to Moffitt to help advance lifesaving cancer research. 

“I just wanted to help give back and try to help as many people as we can,” Raddysh said. “I know we had a lot of help when my dad was battling, so I just want to try to help out as much as possible.” 

Raddysh’s visit to Moffitt not only holds deep meaning for him, but also for the patients.  

“I think it just brings home the fact that everybody is touched by cancer,” said Maria Muller, president of Moffitt’s Foundation. “Every family has a story about cancer, and this is a huge human challenge. Having somebody like Darren take the initiative himself and fundraise to help improve cancer care is amazing, and it's a model for what we would love people in the community to do.” 

The Lightning also donated an additional $160,000 in proceeds from the Bolts’ 50/50 raffles this season.