KeyBank and Buffalo Sabres Launch HocKey Assists Program With Women’s Heart Healthy Workshop
KeyBank and the Buffalo Sabres recently brought their community partnership to life through the Women’s Heart Healthy Workshop at KeyBank Center—an early activation of the newly launched HocKey Assists program. Designed to address real, everyday needs across Western New York, HocKey Assists leverages the reach of both organizations to create meaningful opportunities for education, awareness, and long-term community wellbeing across our communities.
The workshop reflected the core purpose of HocKey Assists: meeting people where they are through a broad range of initiatives focusing on issues that directly impact quality of life. For this event, which centered on women’s heart health, KeyBank and the Sabres aligned education with empowerment—two pillars essential to building healthier, more resilient neighborhoods. Health outcomes are closely tied to economic stability and opportunity, making this topic a natural fit for a program grounded in community impact.
Developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association and ConnectLife, the event, held on February 24th, combined expert-led discussion, interactive learning stations, and hands-on CPR instruction. Attendees gained practical information about cardiovascular risk factors, symptom awareness and prevention, while also leaving with skills that could help save lives.
As the partnership between KeyBank and the Sabres continues to evolve beyond the arena, HocKey Assists was intentionally created to support initiatives that are locally relevant and community-driven. Conversations between the two organizations identified women’s heart health as an area where increased dialogue and access to information could make a measurable difference—particularly as heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the region.
Two featured speakers, selected by KeyBank Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations Officer Chiwuike Owunwanne, brought firsthand perspectives to the program. Rosalind Burgin, who served as emcee, is a triple bypass survivor. Melissa Archer, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, spoke about performing life-saving CPR on her husband, Dr. Fred Archer, a pediatrician and University at Buffalo leader.
Inclusivity was a key consideration in the workshop’s design, including reaching out to communities that are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, non-Hispanic Black women experience significantly higher rates of heart disease, underscoring the importance of targeted education and outreach.
“If we’re going to have a conversation in terms of creating awareness and promotion, from my perspective and for us to be intentional about it, we do have to essentially bring the people who are most impacted to come get that information and education,” said Chiwuike Owunwanne, KeyBank Corporate Responsibility Officer in Buffalo.
In addition to educational sessions, the workshop featured resource stations, including ConnectLife’s information on organ donation—highlighting how prevention, awareness and access are interconnected across the healthcare continuum. CPR training using female mannequins reinforced the importance of preparedness and representation, ensuring participants left with both knowledge and confidence.
KeyBank and the Buffalo Sabres also extended their impact beyond education by providing direct financial support to two of the event’s key partners through the HocKey Assists program. As part of the workshop, $5,000 donations were awarded to both ConnectLife and the American Heart Association, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing prevention, access and lifesaving resources across Western New York.
For KeyBank, HocKey Assists represents more than a program—it is a platform for long-term partnership and community investment. By joining forces with the Buffalo Sabres and trusted health organizations, KeyBank is helping elevate conversations that can lead to earlier detection, stronger self-advocacy, and healthier outcomes for the Buffalo community.
As HocKey Assists continues to grow, KeyBank remains committed to using its partnerships, visibility and resources to support initiatives that strengthen communities—on and off the ice.
