LEWISTON — The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing at Central Maine Medical Center has been chosen as a beneficiary for Hockey East’s fifth annual Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising initiative.

Dempsey Center Assistant Director Mary Dempsey and breast cancer survivor Kristen Short will accept the presentation and drop the puck during a ceremonial face-off prior to the Saturday, Jan. 22, University of Maine vs. University of Connecticut women’s hockey game at Alfond Arena in Orono. Game time is noon.

“We are honored to be a Skating Strides beneficiary,” said Dempsey. “I’m deeply touched by the efforts of everyone involved.”

Hockey East is a college hockey conference comprised of eight women’s and 10 men’s teams throughout New England. During Skating Strides, the conference donates proceeds from gate admissions, merchandise sales, raffles, auctions and other special events from Jan. 21 to 30 to various breast cancer charities.

For more information, visit http://www.dempseycenter.org/ or http://www.hockeyeastonline.com/women/hea/ssabc.php.