SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)--The Springfield Thunderbirds are having their "Hockey Fights Cancer" game this Saturday. The game has an extra important meaning to Thunderbirds player Samuel Bitten, who along with his brother Will, founded "Bitsy's Army" in honor of their cousin who passed away from cancer. Bitten's cousin Martin Piché battled brain cancer for 7 years before he passed away at the age of 31. He said they started Bitsy's Army to raise awareness and funds for cancer. Bright Nights at Forest Park set to open Wednesday Last year both Bitten brothers played for the Thunderbirds and had their first Bitsy's Army Hockey Fights Cancer game together, which Bitten described as great turnout from the whole community. "Everyone has a loved one at one point that got effected by cancer, it is really a terrible disease," said Samuel Bitten. "I really try to promote to people to do their part, whether it is helping out at the hospital or donating goods, it doesn't always have to be money." All of the T-Bird Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys the players will be wearing will be auctioned off on the ice directly following the game. Portions of the proceeds will go to Bitsy's Army, the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, where the Bittens are from, and also various local cancer charities in the Springfield area. Bitten said it is really touching for himself and his family to see the players in the warm up jerseys or the Bitsy's Army merchandise, spreading awareness for cancer in honor of his cousin.