Courage. It is a word that is synonymous with professional athletes and used freely to describe plays, effort and officials’ calls. “He gave a courageous effort right there,” or “it takes a lot of courage to make that kind of pass in this kind of situation,” are cliches echoed by coaches, broadcasters and fans game after game and year after year.

It is a fair description, but frequently the true meaning of the word is lost or forgotten, as it is lauded on athletes who are simply doing what they are supposed to do.

This year the Washington Capitals are doing their best to remind everyone what true courage is and are asking for your help. Through the Courage Caps initiative, the Capitals will raise funds to help the truly courageous children who are fighting cancer.

During the upcoming season the Capitals will sell Courage Caps and 100% of the sale price will benefit CureSearch, a nonprofit based in Bethesda that unites the Children’s Oncology Group and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation through a shared mission to cure and prevent childhood and adolescent cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care.

Courage Caps will be sold for $20 at the community relations table at Capitals home games and online at WashingtonCaps.com. There will also be a limited number of autographed Courage Caps available. For $50, fans can purchase a hat signed by Olie Kolzig or Alex Ovechkin; for $30, fans can purchase a hat signed by any other individual Capitals player.

Thousands of children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and unlike professional athletes these children do not have the luxury of looking their adversary in the eye. Many times they do not know what they are up against, as they battle a ruthless and faceless disease. There are no timeouts, substitutions or instant replays, just hopefully more good days than bad.

These children display the ultimate meaning of the word courage. They are the consummate underdogs through no fault of their own and fight endlessly for victory no matter how many points they are down. While some battles are ultimately lost, others are won after overcoming enormous odds to persevere, not for another game, but for another day, week or year.

That is true courage.

You too can show your support of their courageous efforts and join the Capitals as they help to make a difference in a child’s life. All it takes is one Courage Cap; purchase yours today.

Courage Caps Order Form in PDF format

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