Blackhawk's Dowell grants wish for dying young fan
gimmesometruth27
St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 23,303
god i hate cancer. i put this here because it is a human interest story and i thought that all of us can use a little lift. it has been kinda rough around here lately. or maybe it is just my way of kind of getting into the holiday spirit.
this is a touching story about a hockey player granting a dying little boy's final wish. it is so touching how a simple geture of meeting and talking to someone can bring them such great joy and comfort and strength. kudos to Jake Dowell for taking he time to warm the hearts of Griffin and his family. i will attach the article but you need to click the link to see the video...
Video: Blackhawks' Jake Dowell grants wish for dying young fan
Griffin Bohan, 5, has a rare incurable form of brain cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, which his mother said affects around 200 children in the U.S. His body changed after nearly a year of radiation and steroid treatment, but his personality remains vibrant.
One of Griffin's wishes was to meet one of his hockey heroes from the Chicago Blackhawks, but hadn't had the chance yet. But while visiting his aunt and uncle last week in Palatine, Ill., Blackhawks center Jake Dowell drove out and granted that wish. From NBC Chicago, a very touching piece:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_d ... nhl-296449
Well there's a video that makes it virtually impossible not to tear up ...
Dowell later hosted Griffin and his family at the Blackhawks' 7-5 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night, back in Griffin's home state of Colorado.
This is what so many professional hockey players do, whether there's a camera there or not: They go the extra mile to give someone who needs an emotional lift an incredible level of support. The Detroit Red Wings, for example, made their annual visit to Children's Hospital of Michigan this week. From the Free Press and Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi:
"It puts in perspective how fortunate and lucky we are. Whether it's just a quick little chat with someone, especially kids who have been in there for a long time, seeing a different face, I think it goes a long way."
One look at what Jake Dowell's visit meant to Griffin and his family confirms that.
this is a touching story about a hockey player granting a dying little boy's final wish. it is so touching how a simple geture of meeting and talking to someone can bring them such great joy and comfort and strength. kudos to Jake Dowell for taking he time to warm the hearts of Griffin and his family. i will attach the article but you need to click the link to see the video...
Video: Blackhawks' Jake Dowell grants wish for dying young fan
Griffin Bohan, 5, has a rare incurable form of brain cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, which his mother said affects around 200 children in the U.S. His body changed after nearly a year of radiation and steroid treatment, but his personality remains vibrant.
One of Griffin's wishes was to meet one of his hockey heroes from the Chicago Blackhawks, but hadn't had the chance yet. But while visiting his aunt and uncle last week in Palatine, Ill., Blackhawks center Jake Dowell drove out and granted that wish. From NBC Chicago, a very touching piece:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_d ... nhl-296449
Well there's a video that makes it virtually impossible not to tear up ...
Dowell later hosted Griffin and his family at the Blackhawks' 7-5 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night, back in Griffin's home state of Colorado.
This is what so many professional hockey players do, whether there's a camera there or not: They go the extra mile to give someone who needs an emotional lift an incredible level of support. The Detroit Red Wings, for example, made their annual visit to Children's Hospital of Michigan this week. From the Free Press and Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi:
"It puts in perspective how fortunate and lucky we are. Whether it's just a quick little chat with someone, especially kids who have been in there for a long time, seeing a different face, I think it goes a long way."
One look at what Jake Dowell's visit meant to Griffin and his family confirms that.
"You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry." - Lincoln
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
I think professional hockey players generally do a great job with this kind of stuff. I remember growing up and having a friend paralyzed while playing...I could not tell you how many pro players sent him messages and sent letters(hand written)...truly an amazing community...
It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
- Joe Rogan
Millstreet Arena - Oct 24, 1996
The Point - Oct 26, 1996
The Point - Jun 01, 2000
The Point - Aug 23, 2006
Wembley Arena - Jun 18, 2007
Manchester Evening News Arena - Aug 17, 2009
The O2 - Jun 22, 2010
Odyssey Arena - Jun 23, 2010
Manchester Evening News Arena - Jun 20 2012
Amsterdam Ziggo Dome - Jun 26 2012
Amsterdam Ziggo Dome - Jun 16 2014
it's so so hard
i feel so for this little boy and for his family
what a lovely gesture this man has made
i'm sure it will never be forgotten
that is his legacy..not hockey..but the good deeds he does in his life
as for little griffen, i am hoping against hope that a miracle occurs for him
after all, 'tis the season for miracles, right?
thanks for sharing..
god, now i have a headache from crying.
:(
jo
http://www.Etsy.com/Shop/SimpleEarthCreations
"How I choose to feel is how I am." ~ EV/MMc
"Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy, or they become legends." ~ One Stab ~
Godfather.
I think "community" is a great choice of words.... While yes, other professional athletes do outstanding things, hockey players are a cut above.
I've worked in many different sports jobs in the last 15 years and have been around NFL players, MLB players and NHL players. MLB players come across as the most arrogant, NFL is a mix (probably because huge rosters), and there are some incredibly nice guys... but it's actually hard to find an NHL player that acts like a jerk to people. Even most of the players you hate on other teams, are usually nice guys off the ice. The stuff they do (usually when cameras aren't around) is amazing.
I saw this story yesterday but didn't want to watch it at work, and I forgot about it until today, and still don't want to watch it here... I'll have to make sure I see it tonight. As a parent there are things that you can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to go through...
It's great that something can make a suffering child so happy, and to forget about all of the bad things for just a little while.
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
a vast majority of them come from small towns in remote areas and from lower income families and factory towns so they have a deep sense of community.
the st. louis blues are heavily involved in things like this at children's and cardinal glennon hospitals here. they also sponsor the 14 Fund in honor of the late Doug Wickenheiser who wore number 14 and passed away from cancer at age 37. i will attach links to the 14 fund and a biography of Wickenheiser. I remember this being terribly sad news at the time because he was a historical figure here in town after scoring the winning goal in the "monday nght miracle" game where they came back from a huge deficit to beat the calgary falmes..
http://blues.nhl.com/v2/ext/14fund/about.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Wickenheiser
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
There are so many good souls out there in the world, it's a shame that their stories don't trump the bad news we here so much more often.
Cancer most likely won't be cured tomorrow but the miracle of love can happen any time.
These stories used to make me sad, but I've been in a tragic situation, and it's changed me. It shows that death isn't as far off as once thought, and we're here to accept that and to make the most of our lives and open our hearts to others while we can.
I didn't know this was common of hockey players, it's a great stereotype to have.
The Oilers (my hometown team), are heavily involved with the local childrens hospital, and the local uni cancer institute. I know the Calgary Flames play a wheelchair hockey game with kids from their hospital every year...
Hockey is a sport based on a HUGE amount of respect for opposing players, and a strict code of sportsmanship that is not common, esp in pro sports....I think in general, it carries over into your personal life when you live the hockey lifestyle for years on end. Good on Dowell :thumbup: .
So, it's just the fans that are nuts?
this is true. on ice conduct is dictated by "the code" which are the strict unwritten rules of the game that the players abide by. there is a great book on it. the code also guides them in their life off of the ice. many plaers have their own charities, and if a player does not have a big name like sidney crosby or whoever, they affiliate themselves with established charities of their teammates. i remember 3 years ago when the blues were bought by checketts, the entire city had turned on them due to the actions of the previous owners running them into the ground and dumping all of their talent. communuty relations and charity work is what has made them into the toughest ticket to get in town again. it was really quite impressive. most of them live herein the offseason and that is really when their charity work heats up in the summers with golf tournaments and other appearances. good on all of the nhl players.
here is a link that somewhat briefly explains "the code"...
http://www.bernsteinbooks.com/books/hockey_code.aspx
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."