Take a moment and imagine receiving the news that your young child has cancer…… In 2013 a day after their son Griffin’s 6th birthday, Erin and Adam Engle, and siblings Grace and Everett, heard these words. Griffin fought brain cancer valiantly for 15 months and on September 12, 2014 at 7 years old, Griffin passed away. To honor their son, Erin started Griffin’s Guardians a local, non-profit 501©3 organization dedicated to supporting families with children who have been diagnosed with Pediatric Cancer at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. 

Griffin’s Guardians, assists families in 17 counties and extends into Pennsylvania.  They provide financial aid for families through their Project 20 program, where every child diagnosed receives $1300 for each year they are in treatment. Project 20 helps pay for medical bills, travel expenses and household bills. Griffin’s Guardians also creates fun events for the siblings through their Grace’s Sibling Sunshine program, and provides family portraits through EVERett Lasting Memory program. These are just some examples of how Griffin’s Guardians directly impacts the children and their families that are experiencing the trauma of Pediatric Cancer.  

In his short life, Griffin was passionate about the game of hockey, so it is only fitting that two local men’s college hockey teams will play a game in Griffin’s memory with all the game proceeds going directly to Griffin’s Guardians. 

The charity hockey event was started by Coach Ed Gosek of SUNY Oswego and Griffin’s Guardians in 2019. Due to its success, Coach Gosek and SUNY Cortland Coach Joe Cardarelli are organizing another game to support Griffin’s Guardian's mission. The game will be at the Allyn Arena in the Skaneateles Community Center on January 18th at 5:00 pm.

The young men on both teams embraced this game and realize that it is about something much larger than just hockey. As they step on to the ice that night, they will be carrying the memory of Griffin and all the brave children battling this terrible disease. The match is about more than puck possession and goals; it aids Griffin’s Guardians in helping children fight cancer.

Surrounding businesses and neighbors have collaborated to offer sponsorships, donations, and volunteered their time and talents to help make this game possible. We hope that you will join us in giving these brave children hope for tomorrow and supporting Griffin’s Guardians by coming to cheer on the Oswego and Cortland hockey players by purchasing tickets (or 50/50 raffle tickets) at www.griffinsguardians.org or with Venmo @Kristi-Krieger2