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Capitals Alumni Langway and Laughlin Participate in Flashes of Hope Photo Shoot

October 16, 2012

Washington Capitals alumnus and NHL Hall of Famer Rod Langway, fellow alumnus Craig Laughlin and mascot Slapshot participated in a Flashes of Hope photo shoot on the Hematology/Oncology Care Unit at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Oct. 11. Flashes of Hope is a national nonprofit organization that changes the way children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses see themselves through the gift of photography. Nearly 20 families were photographed during the session with the goal of helping children feel better about their changing appearance. During the shoot, part of the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, Langway, Laughlin and Slapshot posed for photographs with each child. "The fact that we can come here and put some cheer into the lives of these kids is second to none,"� said Laughlin. We had a great time with the children today and I hope they and their families treasure the portraits.� Flashes of Hope aims to photograph every child with cancer until every child is cured and also raises money for pediatric cancer research. Each participating family receives a portfolio of the portraits and a CD of the images at no cost. "Through the photo shoot the children are able to forget about the hospital world for a while and be regular kids," said Tammi Wolfson, co-director of the Washington, D.C., chapter of Flashes of Hope. Some kids are clearly in treatment and the photo shoot allows them to celebrate the beauty that they have. The photo shoot marked the third year the Washington Capitals have participated in a Flashes of Hope session. Washington Capitals Charities helped create the Washington, D.C., chapter of Flashes of Hope and has funded the organization for the past three years. Programs like Flashes of Hope take children's mind off treatments, especially with special visitors like the Washington Capitals, said Mark Miller, associate vice president for communications for the Children's Hospital Foundation at Children's National Medical Center. Flashes of Hope gives families a moment to smile during a challenging time and is an example of how we help kids be kids even when they're in the hospital.â