Red Wings think pink for breast cancer awareness

The Detroit Red Wings welcomed a small handful of breast cancer survivors to Wednesday morning's practice and gave them exclusive access to the team.

Call it a small reward for the large battle many of these women are fighting.

"I thank God every day that I'm still here," said Joan Caldwell. "This is one of the best memories I'm going to take from this. I said to my husband, 'See, this makes having cancer all worthwhile, being here today."

"Hockey players are stand up guys," said Jennifer Weallans. "It just shows that they're part of the community, that they get it. That they get the bigger picture. And I just think they're so generous with their time, just wonderful to include us and make us feel special when we think they are truly special, too."

Caldwell has been fighting cancer for 12 years. Her spirit unbowed, she attacks every day with vigor.

"I was nine years cancer free and then it came back," said Caldwell.  "And it came back in the lungs, bones and then last year it came back in the brain. So, I'm beating the odds. I'm still here, getting treatment, thanks to all the research and the awareness and people raising funds."

Tonight, the Wings want their fans to wear pink. The players will wrap their sticks with tape featuring breast cancer awareness ribbons. The goalies will wear gloves with pink accents. It's a league-wide effort the Wings are proud to support.

"Anything the Players Association and the National Hockey League can do to give back I think is so important," said Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock. "Obviously, there's a lot of us involved in the game that are really blessed, but a lot of our lives have been touched by cancer as well, so it's a very special night."

A special night, and a special day, not only for the small handful of breast cancer survivors on hand, but for Jennifer Weallans' son, Jack. He thought he was going to the dentist. Instead, he's walking home from the Joe with a few priceless keepsakes.

"I could only pick one person," said Weallans. "Believe me, my husband wasn't thrilled that it wasn't him, but we knew it should be Jack. He's paid his dues this year helping out his mom."