The 11 Day Power Play is a non-profit organization founded by Amy and Michael Lesakowski in 2016 in Buffalo, NY. The inspiration was two-fold. In April 2009 Amy, then 35-years old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, one that required multiple surgeries, a potent chemotherapy regiment, and a long-term chemical treatment plan with an innovative drug. The drugs that saved her life were not available a few years earlier. In May 2016, Mike’s mom, Evelyn, passed away after a 3 year battle with lung cancer at the age of 62.

Fed up with the hardship caused by this deplorable disease and fueled by their love of hockey, Mike and Amy along with a determined group of Buffalo friends were inspired to take action. They set a goal to break the record for the world’s longest hockey game while raising money for cancer research. 40 players…250 hours…$1million dollar goal.

After breaking the record--and raising $1.2million dollars for cancer research at Roswell Park—they decided to continue the fight. The organization remains committed to raising money, fighting cancer and supporting our community.

In 2018 The 11 Day Power Play organization followed through on the request of many hockey enthusiasts who wanted to play in the 2017 hockey marathon game, which was limited to 40 players; The 11 Day Power Play Community Shift was born! An 11-day non-stop hockey game was played by more than 1500 participants from July 5th -July 15th at HarborCenter in 2018. The event benefitted cancer research and wellness programs at Roswell Park, Make-A-Wish of WNY and Camp Good Days raising more than $1.7M. This event has become an annual event. In 2019 more than 2300 players hit the ice in July raising $1.6M. In three years The 11 Day Power Play organization has raised more than $4M in total to support cancer causes in our community through a marathon hockey game.

The 11 Day Power Play Community Shift is more than just a game. Hockey players, their families, and hundreds of volunteers bring the community together to bring further awareness to cancer and raise significant funds that stay right here in WNY.