Taylor's Gift Night at American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

Sunday, 11.14.2010 / 9:07 PM / News /NHL.com

By Julie Dobbs

On November 20th, don't be shocked to see the American Airlines Center turn blue. Hockey Fights Cancer Month has come and gone, and before the holiday season begins, the Dallas Stars will be dedicating this night to a different cause- one that they feel is just as worthy.

Saturday, November 20th will be a night to honor and raise awareness for Taylor's Gift, a local group whose mission is dedicated to increasing organ donation through youth education. The foundation was created by Todd and Tara Storch, parents of three, who saw first hand how important and life changing organ donation can be. Their daughter, Taylor Storch, was 13 when she passed away in a ski accident in Colorado. Her parents quickly made the decision to have her organs donated to those in need, and in doing so- Taylor Storch helped to save five lives.

At a time that most would spend grieving, pondering, "why me?", Taylor's parents knew that they had to do something positive to get the word out about the importance of organ donation. Thus, the Taylor's Gift Foundation was born- with a purpose to increase organ donation, re-gift life, renew health, and restore families.

"My grandfather is one of my heroes- he always said to me- it's not what happens to me that matters- it's how you react to it that does. He passed away, and I taught my kids that. As a husband and father, those words are something that I have thought back to so many times," said Todd Storch, co- founder of Taylor's Gift. " It was very obvious that I had a choice--- are you going to do what Todd Storch wants to do? Or what God wants you to do?" He chose the latter.

Longtime voice of the Dallas Stars Ralph Strangis knows Todd Storch personally and felt the need to get the Stars involved with the mission of Taylor's Gift.

"It's personally important to me because Todd is a friend, lives in my neighborhood, Taylor was about my daughter's age when she died- a lot of things hit home. I like a cause you don't have to ask people for money for, it's an easy thing anybody can do and it doesn't take much time. You can register to be an organ donor in less than 5 minutes-it's really a numbers game- the more people who become donors, the more lives will be saved."

At the Nov. 20th game vs Colorado, the Dallas Stars will be going all out to support Taylor's Gift. Fans will be able to donate to the cause or sign up to be an organ donor at the Dallas Stars Foundation table, or receive blue Taylor's Gift wristbands at the merchandise stores for a small donation. The Storch family will be interviewed by Ralph during the first intermission, and the Dallas Stars will donate proceeds from the evening's tickets sales to the Taylor's Gift Foundation. The Dallas Stars players will show their support by using sticks wrapped with blue tape during warm-ups, and coaches and broadcasters will be wearing blue Taylor's Gift ties. Even the Stars opponents for the night- the Colorado Avalanche- are sympathetic to the cause, as they'll be warming up with the blue taped sticks, and the Avalanche staff will wear blue ties along with the Stars staff.

Todd Storch is more than excited for the evening and to see all of his efforts come to fruition under the NHL spotlight at the American Airlines Center.
"My wife and I could not be more thankful for what the Dallas Stars are doing to help us, and also to the Colorado Avalanche and Ralph Strangis… we are so grateful, and we are looking forward to a great evening."

To purchase discounted tickets for Taylor's Gift Night at the American Airlines Center, go todallasstars.com/taylorsgift and enter offer code: stars