Winnacunnet, Exeter Hockey Joining Forces to Ice Cancer

Submitted by Lara Bricker on behalf of Exeter Hospital

Winnacunnet Varsity Hockey player Casey Glynn is committed to making a difference in the lives of those facing cancer. 

Glynn, a 17-year-old Hampton resident and a junior at Winnacunnet High School, is organizing his 9th-annual Shoot for a Cure event to help raise funds for local oncology patients.  

This year’s event, a hockey scrimmage game between the Winnacunnet and Exeter High School Varsity Hockey teams, will be held on Saturday, December 7th at 6:30 p.m. at The Rinks at Exeter. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Beyond the Rainbow Fund at Exeter Hospital, which provides financial assistance and support to local Exeter Hospital cancer patients in need. 

"My godmother Anne-Marie Viviano founded this fund when she was going through her treatments for breast cancer," said Glynn. "She wanted the women in her support group to be able to concentrate on getting healthy and not worry about finances.  When Anne-Marie passed away, I wanted to continue to make a difference in helping our local cancer patients." 

Donations to this fund provide assistance with expenses such as groceries, utilities, gas and rent/mortgage payments, as well as any other practical needs that may become unmanageable during a patient’s treatment. The fund also provides additional support by offering wellness and fitness programs, as well as integrative therapy such as massage, that further assist patients in their fight against cancer. 

This year Glynn decided to invite the Exeter High School hockey team to participate in his community fundraising event. 

"I have always wanted to have Exeter High School included," said Glynn. "I am very happy to have their team take part in this community event, especially near Christmas."

This year’s Shoot for a Cure fundraiser will include "Puck for a Buck" in which individuals have the opportunity to sponsor and personalize a "puck" in honor of a loved one who is living with cancer or who has been lost to cancer. The event will also include raffles donated by local businesses, a 50/50 raffle, and "Chuck a Puck." The cost of admission is $5.

With the help of the community, friends and family, Casey has donated more than $17,000 to The Beyond the Rainbow Fund and the American Cancer Society. With only one more year until he graduates, Glynn hopes his fundraiser will continue past his graduation.  

"Next year, my senior year will be my 10th year for Shoot for a Cure," said Glynn. "I am hoping that someone, maybe a teammate or another player will take on Shoot for a Cure and continue by paying it forward. It would be great to see this continue with another hockey player."

Those who are unable to attend may make a donation directly to the event. Checks should be made payable to Exeter Hospital (with Beyond the Rainbow noted in the memo section), c/o Casey Glynn, PO Box 656, Hampton, NH 03843 or online at exeterhospital.com.