Hawks to honor Geneva boy battling cancer

Lawson Frank, a 13-year-old from Geneva who is battling a rare childhood cancer, will take part in the ceremonial puck drop Saturday night for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Frank is battling Rhabdomyosarcoma and the Blackhawks will honor him as part of “Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night” at the United Center when the team takes on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The event is part of the National Hockey League's month-long initiative to help fight cancer, and the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the Melanoma Research Foundation will both receive checks for $2,500 from the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer Grant before the game. During the game, the Blackhawks Better Halves will be selling pucks signed by a mystery player with proceeds going to the Vera Bradley Foundation, while portions of the proceeds from the Blackhawks silent auction and “split the pot” will benefit Gilda's Club Chicago. Several cancer-related organizations will also be located throughout the United Center concourse offering information.