11 Day Power Play

The 11 Day Power Play, Inc. was co-founded by Mike and Amy Lesakowski in 2016, eight years after Amy was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of breast cancer at just 35 years old. They were the parents of three small children, so Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center made sure Amy’s treatment was strong. Her treatment included immunotherapy fresh off clinical trials and an infusion still in a clinical trial, saving her life. In 2013, Mike’s mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Her form of cancer did not have clinical trials available, and she succumbed to her disease in 2016. This inspired Mike to want to give back to the organization that saved his wife’s life. On June 22, 2017, 40 players took to the ice at HarborCenter in Buffalo, NY in an attempt to set the world record for the longest continuous ice hockey game. For 11 days they lived onsite, playing continuously in four-hour shifts, and raising more than $1 million for research programs at Roswell Park. After the incredible success of 2017, Mike and Amy knew that The 11 Day Power Play had to continue. And the community as a whole needed to play. The Community Shift was born and has grown to more than 2,300 pairs of skates hitting the ice, in three hours shifts over this 11-day marathon hockey game. In 2021, Mike and Amy decided to again attempt the Guinness World Record. In the face of COVID-19, along with the #Frozen40 players, nearly 1,000 Community Shift Invitational players and their amazing sponsors, they raised $2 million for local cancer research and wellness programs, and officially set the 2021 Guinness World Record for Longest Continuous Ice Hockey Game at 252:00:46!

In just six years, the 11 Day Power Play has raised more than $8 million for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Make-A-Wish Western New York, Camp Good Days and Special Times, and the Roswell Park Oishei Children’s Cancer & Blood Disorders Program.

When you make the commitment to participate in The 11 Day Power Play, you’re saving lives by supporting organizations dedicated to making a difference. The organizations we’re currently supporting include: Roswell Park®, Oishei Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program, Make-A-Wish® and Camp Good Days.

When you give to the 11 Day Power Play, you’re making more than a donation. You’re making an impact. Hear directly from our beneficiaries about how the 11 Day Power Play fundraising dollars impact the Buffalo community, and beyond.