GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Purple will literally be the name of the game this Friday, Feb. 13 when the Grand Rapids Griffins host their fourth annual Purple Community ® Game to benefit Van Andel Institute (VAI) and cancer research.

When fans arrive for the 7 p.m. battle against the San Antonio Rampage, they will also step into the battle against cancer as nearly everything at Van Andel Arena will be in sync with the color associated with cancer survivors, including:

• Purple accented jerseys that will be worn by the Griffins, autographed and auctioned to the public in the Intermission Restaurant & Bar after the game, with proceeds benefiting VAI;
• Purple concession items such as beer, cotton candy, slushies, and donuts;
• Purple VAI logos embedded in the arena’s ice surface;
• Purple game production elements, including songs, videos and LED graphics.

Fans attending the game can become a member of Purple Community, VAI's grassroots fundraising program that connects individuals who are passionate about fighting cancer and other diseases with the resources needed for action. The first intermission activities will be hosted by Maranda of WOTV4’s “Where You Live.”

The game will kick off with a ceremonial puck drop by Brent Peterson, a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 1978 and former coach of the Nashville Predators. In 2009, Peterson formed the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s Disease, which he had been diagnosed with five years prior. Utilizing the skills he learned as a professional hockey player and coach, Peterson now travels the country speaking on the battle against the disease.

Fans who would like to attend the game and support fundraising for cancer research can purchase a “Purple Pack” for $23, which includes two lower level center ice tickets or more, for an additional cost, and the opportunity to be part of the Griffins High Five Tunnel during the starting lineup introductions. A portion of the funds from every “Purple Pack” sold will be donated to Van Andel Institute. Tickets are available at griffinshockey.com/purple.

The Griffins have purpled out their web site, Facebook page and their Official Twitter and Game Day Twitter accounts to call attention to this special night.

Click here to watch the video from last year’s Purple Game.

Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996, Van Andel Institute is an independent research organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing and expanding the frontiers of medical science, and to achieving excellence in education by probing fundamental issues of education and the learning process. This is accomplished through the work of over 200 researchers in more than 20 on-site laboratories and in collaborative partnerships that span the globe.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Purple will literally be the name of the game this Friday, Feb. 13 when the Grand Rapids Griffins host their fourth annual Purple Community ® Game to benefit Van Andel Institute (VAI) and cancer research.

When fans arrive for the 7 p.m. battle against the San Antonio Rampage, they will also step into the battle against cancer as nearly everything at Van Andel Arena will be in sync with the color associated with cancer survivors, including:

• Purple accented jerseys that will be worn by the Griffins, autographed and auctioned to the public in the Intermission Restaurant & Bar after the game, with proceeds benefiting VAI;
• Purple concession items such as beer, cotton candy, slushies, and donuts;
• Purple VAI logos embedded in the arena’s ice surface;
• Purple game production elements, including songs, videos and LED graphics.

Fans attending the game can become a member of Purple Community, VAI's grassroots fundraising program that connects individuals who are passionate about fighting cancer and other diseases with the resources needed for action. The first intermission activities will be hosted by Maranda of WOTV4’s “Where You Live.”

The game will kick off with a ceremonial puck drop by Brent Peterson, a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 1978 and former coach of the Nashville Predators. In 2009, Peterson formed the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s Disease, which he had been diagnosed with five years prior. Utilizing the skills he learned as a professional hockey player and coach, Peterson now travels the country speaking on the battle against the disease.

Fans who would like to attend the game and support fundraising for cancer research can purchase a “Purple Pack” for $23, which includes two lower level center ice tickets or more, for an additional cost, and the opportunity to be part of the Griffins High Five Tunnel during the starting lineup introductions. A portion of the funds from every “Purple Pack” sold will be donated to Van Andel Institute. Tickets are available at griffinshockey.com/purple.

The Griffins have purpled out their web site, Facebook page and their Official Twitter and Game Day Twitter accounts to call attention to this special night.

Click here to watch the video from last year’s Purple Game.

Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996, Van Andel Institute is an independent research organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing and expanding the frontiers of medical science, and to achieving excellence in education by probing fundamental issues of education and the learning process. This is accomplished through the work of over 200 researchers in more than 20 on-site laboratories and in collaborative partnerships that span the globe.