On Thursday (February 13th), the Nashville Predators Foundation will host Hockey Has Heart Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Night in support of the cardiac research and support that takes place at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. CHD, which impacts 40,000 newborns in the United States per year, results when the heart, or blood vessels near the heart, don’t develop normally before birth.
Prior to the 7 p.m. CT matchup between the Predators and Islanders, joined by two young CHD patients, country music super star Luke Bryan will perform the National Anthem. When Luke and his wife Caroline Boyer Bryan lost their niece, Sadie Brett Boyer, to complications of CHD in 2017, they came together with Brett’s parents, Ellen and Bo Boyer, to create The Brett Boyer Foundation in her honor. Since the foundation’s inception, the Bryan and Boyer family has been committed to raising awareness and funding research surrounding CHD.
In addition to Luke’s presence on behalf of The Brett Boyer Foundation, multiple CHD non-profits will be in attendance on Thursday to promote CHD awareness and research. Bright Heart Foundation, Adult Congenital Heart Association, Haley’s Hearts, World of Broken Hearts and WubbaNub will host a mixer in the Bridgestone Arena meeting rooms for over 200 heart warriors and their families who will be at the game. WubbaNub Founder & CEO Carla Schneider will be in attendance and was instrumental in collaborating with the Preds to create the special Preds CHD Bear. Additionally, representatives from each organization will be on site to further support the CHD families and educate Preds fans.
As the guests of honor that evening, the young CHD patients and their families will receive the star treatment on Thursday. Following the mixer, the kids will have the opportunity to high five the team as they take the ice, ring the “Mayor of Smashville” siren and even enjoy all the action from Pekka Rinne‘s 365 Fund suite or Matt Duchene‘s Hockey Tonk.
To support the CHD fundraising efforts just in time for Valentine’s Day, fans are invited to stop by the Predators Foundation area (outside of Section 106/107) or the team store to purchase an adorable Preds WubbaNub pacifier (0-6 months) for $20. The WubbaNub is also available online. All proceeds will benefit CHD research and support at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Additionally, limited CHD t-shirts will be available for purchase. Donations will also be accepted.
To join us in Smashville for Hockey Has Heart CHD Awareness Night on Thursday, or for tickets to Luke Bryan’s July 30 show at Bridgestone Arena, please visit Ticketmaster.com.
