Photo - by Walt Dmoch - from left at the 2010 Pink Out - Windsor captain Ryan Ellis, Mary Beth Bloom, Jody Kosman, Nick Karmanos, Blanche Mack, Leza Ivezaj and Plymouth captain Beau Schmitz during a ceremonial faceoff before the game.

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute of Detroit will recognize the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers with its annual Heroes of Breast Cancer Awards in October.  The Whalers – along with 11 other individuals and businesses – will be honored at a private reception hosted by the Karmanos Cancer Institute to celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Whalers will be recognized with the Philanthropy Award for an Organization. Details on the Whalers award and the 11 other Heroes will appear later in October on the Karmanos Cancer Institute site, www.karmanos.org.

“This award is given in recognition of the philanthropic leadership and support of Karmanos Cancer Institute’s research through the Whalers’ Pink Out! For Breast Cancer Awareness events,” said Maureen Keenan Meldrum, Director, Breast Cancer Special Programs for the Karmanos Cancer Institute. “We are so proud to have the Plymouth Whalers join this remarkable group.”

“We thank the Karmanos Cancer Institute for the recognition and the award,” said Plymouth President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci.  “We share this award with everyone who makes our Pink Out! week special – our players, staff, corporate partners, and especially our fans.”

This season’s Whalers Pink Out! For Breast Cancer Awareness will be held on Sat. Oct. 15 when Plymouth hosts Sarnia at 7:05pm at Compuware Arena.

As in past seasons, the Whalers players will be dying their hair pink early during Pink Out! week (Oct. 10, 11 or 12) at the Lucky Hair Company, located at 45251 Cherry Hill Rd Canton.  Younger Whalers who attend high school at the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park will have pink hair the rest of the week.  The team will also be participating in several events over the course of the week.  Specific events are in the planning stages and will be announced closer to Pink Out! week.

In addition, Plymouth will play in two games in pink hair before Oct. 15.  The Whalers play in Windsor on Thurs. Oct. 13 and hosts Niagara on Fri. Oct. 14.  As in past Pink Out! campaigns, Plymouth will wear specially designed pink jerseys for the Oct. 15 game against Sarnia. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off for charity.

The Whalers Pink Out! For Breast Cancer Awareness started in 2008 and grows in stature every year.   Last year’s “Coaches Campaign “ during the Pink Out! raised over $18,000 as Vellucci and Associate Coach Joe Stefan each dyed their hair pink and several Plymouth alumni – now playing in the National Hockey League – made cash donations.  In all, the Whalers have raised over $30,000 since starting the Pink Out!   Now, they are official Heroes.

What will Mike and the Whalers do this season during Pink Out week?  Stay tuned.