TULSA, Okla. — A Tulsa nonprofit will be hosting a charity hockey game on Nov. 1 to support children with cancer.
Local nonprofit Gold as Ice will be hosting its second annual benefit hockey game at the WeStreet Ice Center to raise money and awareness for two families with young children who were recently diagnosed with cancer.
This year’s game, dubbed the “Unicorns vs. Dragons” game, will support four-year-old Madelyn Lamb and five-year-old Everett Ashcraft.
Madelyn was diagnosed when she was three-years-old with an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor.
Her mother, Julia Lamb, said her family was blindsided by the diagnosis.
“We had no idea,” said Julia. “It’s literally the worst-case scenario you could think of: brain cancer. We feel incredibly humbled to be a recipient of this year’s benefit game. Just to be selected is amazing.”
Gold as Ice’s Vice President and Team Captain Jessica Hopwood said the organization was founded to give both emotional and financial support to families affected by pediatric cancer.
“All of our players have someone they know who’s been affected by cancer, whether it’s a child or an adult. That passion has brought us all together, and it’s what fuels us to help the community.”
During each charity game, players wear jerseys with the names and numbers of children impacted by cancer.
For player Dick Morris, that personal connection is everything.
“It means the world to me. That’s what I always think about when I play, these kids getting better and knowing they have a community they can call their own.”
Families going through similar experiences will be in the stands on that Saturday, including Clay Lynch whose children were also recently diagnosed with cancer.
“At times, you don’t think about things like this until you’re a part of it. Being able to do something like this brings awareness and lets other families know they’re not alone.”
The puck will drop at 6:00 p.m. at WeStreet Ice Center on Nov. 1.
For those who can’t attend in person but still want to support the cause, donations, raffle tickets and auction bids can be made here.
To learn more about Gold as Ice and other ways to support the organization, you can visit their website at goldasice.org.
