By Mallory Mattingly
Although brothers Marcus and Nick Foligno play on different NHL teams, they have come together to raise money for breast cancer research to honor their mother, Janis, who passed away in 2009 from the disease.
The Foligno brothers partnered with the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, NHL, NHLPA and the V Foundation via Hockey Fights Cancer to begin the Foligno Face-Off initiative.
“This isn’t just a rivalry. It’s personal. Join the Foligno Face-Off. Choose your team, donate, and honor Janis Foligno’s legacy while fueling lifesaving breast cancer research that impacts families everywhere,” the V Foundation wrote on its website.
“It’s really special,” Nick told NHL.com. “Obviously, it’s something that’s near and dear to us with our mother and losing her to breast cancer. But the fight continues and that’s something Marcus and I have always said we would do in her honor is to continue to fight and continue to find ways to make it a better outcome for somebody else. I think she’d be proud of that.”
Related: NHL Center Ryan Johansen Describes Moment He Found Christ: ‘Where I Belong’
Fans are encouraged to “donate $17 — a nod to the number both brothers wear — or whatever they can give. One hundred percent of every donation goes directly to the V Foundation for breast cancer research, expanding the impact of the Janis Foligno Foundation, which has raised more than $1.2 million for research and patient care,” per Sports Spectrum.
For more inspiring sports stories, check out Sports Spectrum.
The brothers are eager to raise as much money as possible to help fund breast cancer research because they know that without their mother, they would not have been able to play in the NFL.
“Our dad played hockey, and we listened to him for advice on how to play,” Marcus told The Athletic. “But if it wasn’t for our mom getting us where we needed to go, being such a supporter and booster of our confidence, I don’t think we would have made it.”
“She was the drill sergeant in the family, the motivator, the everything, really,” Nick added in that same interview. “She was the rock — which is why it really rocked our family when we lost her.”
The brothers leaned heavily on their faith in God after their mother passed away. Nick holds onto Romans 12:12, which reads, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
“I just love how simple and direct a message it is,” he said to Hockey Ministries International. “I think it perfectly describes the journey we go on in our faith in Christ. Always be hopeful because without it, I firmly believe we are lost. When hard times come, be patient and strong and know it won’t last. And lastly be constantly in dialogue with Jesus because to me that’s how you stay connected.”
Marcus said, “Attending team chapels throughout the season also helps me. Our schedule is demanding and it’s easy to get caught up in uncontrollable events. Chapel provides a place for me and some of my teammates to sit down, reflect and grow our faith together. It helps us see the bigger picture and ease the stresses that come with our job — and to let go and focus on Jesus.”
Praise God for how He’s using the Foligno family’s tragedy to help save the lives of others diagnosed with breast cancer.
Read Next: NHL Player Jaccob Slavin Glorifies God ‘On and Off the Ice’
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +2Share:
– Content: +3