Worcester Railers Fight Cancer Night Benefited Why Me & Sherry’s House

Jerseys were auctioned to benefit Why Me & Sherry’s House.

By-Hank Stolz
Photo-Kill the Ball Media

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Worcester, MA-The Worcester Railers turned Saturday’s game at the DCU Center into a fundraiser for local families facing childhood cancer. The annual Railers Fight Cancer night on Nov. 7 featured a charity matchup against Boston Bruins alumni and an auction of the lavender jerseys the Railers wore in their 3–1 loss to the Wheeling Nailers. Both efforts benefited Why Me & Sherry’s House.

The Why Me All-Stars opened the doubleheader against the Bruins alumni, with players collecting donations ahead of the game. The fundraiser supported services the Worcester nonprofit provides free of charge, including financial and emotional support, programs for siblings and temporary lodging at Sherry’s House. A final total for the full evening was unavailable as of Monday.

Worcester Railers captain Anthony Repaci and Why Me & Sherry’s House Executive Director Rebecca Kuczarski discussed how the partnership between the team and the nonprofit supported local families facing childhood cancer. Watch the conversation on Instagram.

For Chris Rumble, the night was personal

Before the game, Railers assistant coach Chris Rumble sat down with us at the Radio Worcester diner and recalled being treated for leukemia at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

“I was 20 years old, so I was turning 21 in the hospital,” Rumble said. “A good place to spend that birthday.”

Rumble made a video to give young patients something to look forward to during their hospital stays. The video went on to draw more than four million views. Had he known how many people would see it, he joked, he might have spent more time on it.

“I did do it overnight in my bed,” he said. “So, I kind of wish I would’ve spent a little more time doing it, maybe up the production value a bit.”

Rumble also talked about what he liked about coaching in Worcester. “It feels like a hockey town,” he said. Rumble also said that his experience as a player helped him earn the trust of the players he coached. He looked for what each player could bring to the team, whether or not it showed up on the scoresheet.

“You can’t have 20 guys who play the same way on a team or you won’t be very successful,” Rumble said.

Repaci made his season debut

Railers captain Anthony Repaci returned to the lineup Saturday after missing the first six games while recovering from surgery. Worcester outshot Wheeling 28–20, but all four goals came in the third period. Caige Sterzer tied the game at 1–1 on a power play before the Nailers scored twice to take the opener of the two-game series.

The teams met again Sunday for Autism Awareness Day at the DCU Center. The Railers made quiet rooms available for fans who needed a break from the arena. Wheeling won the rematch 5–3.