BUFFALO, N.Y. — Following a successful inaugural campaign, the 11 Day Power Play is back again.

But 2018's version won't be the grueling marathon that tested the resolve and sleep schedule of only 40 players.

This time, there will be nearly 1,800 players taking on much shorter shifts.

"We're looking for 120 teams, and right now we're at about 80, so we're about 75 percent of the way there," said Mike Lesakowski.

"Each team will play a four-hour shift, and they are 50-minutes, hour shifts with 10 minute breaks in between," said Amy Lesakowski.

Mike and Amy started the 11 Day Power Play to raise money for cancer research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Mike's mother, Evelyn, died of brain and lung cancer in May 2016, and Amy is a survivor of breast cancer.

"I was able to jump in a clinical trial at Roswell Park, and that clinical trial, I believe, saved my life. And I want to support the hospital as well as so many other people in our community," Amy said.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute will be the primary beneficiary of the 11 Day Power Play Community Shift.

Proceeds will also go to Camp Good Days of WNY and Make a Wish Foundation of WNY.

The Lesakowskis surpassed their lofty fundraising goal of $1 million last year, and while they're confident in another big year, they haven't picked a benchmark to bulldoze through.

"Because the event is so much different, we're reliant upon a lot more people to raise money. We're going to inspire them, hopefully inspire them to try to do the same thing our 40 players did," Mike said.

The 11 Day Power Play returns to HARBORCENTER on July 5th through the 18th.