Alex Ovechkin is known for his insane talent on the ice, his gregarious personality and that infectious gap-toothed smile. But those closest to him, including Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis, frequently talk about Ovi's big heart when it comes to helping others. Tomorrow he'll be making a dream come true for 13-year old Ryan Rowlinson, who is courageously battling neurofibromatosis. Ryan has asked to meet his hockey hero as part of the wonderful Make-A-Wish Foundation® program.
Ryan will meet the Great8 at the Caps' morning skate at Kettler Capitals Iceplex where he'll sit between the benches to watch and then get a tour of the locker room led by the captain himself. Then tomorrow night, he'll attend the game where he will sit in “Ovi’s Crazy 8s” seats along with his parents and younger brother. He will watch the pregame warmups from the penalty box, ride the Olympia ice resurfacer during the first intermission and meet Ovie after the game. Ryan is from Duncan, British Columbia, and has long wanted to meet Ovechkin and watch him play in person. Hockey Mom joins my fellow Caps fans in wishing this brave young man the best as he continues his fight against neurofibromatosis.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world.
For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, including how you can help refer a local child from Maryland, Northern Virginia, Delaware or the District of Columbia for a wish as well as sponsor a wish or donate in-kind gifts of goods, services or airline frequent flier miles, please call (301) 962-9474 or visit www.midatlantic.wish.org.
The BC & Yukon chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation was formed in 1983. Since inception, this chapter has made more than 1,400 wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
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3 comments:
I have heard many, many great stories about the Great 8. This is just one more. I'll be watching for this brave young man tomorrow night.
If I might ask an unrelated question--I'm a huge fan with no one to watch the games with. I live just outside of Leesburg, VA. There must be other Caps fans out this way. Any idea where they go to watch the games? It's just not as much fun sitting at home alone.
As always, thanks for a great blog. Read, and enjoy, it every day!
Thanks for reading! I know, as a mom, this story brings tears to my eyes. I actually live out the western burbs myself - usually watch at home when am not a Verizon Center but have been to the Greene Turtle (esp. around playoff time) and there seems to be lots of Caps fans there!
Ted Leonsis and Ovi sent my son with Lymphoma an autographed puck last year.We all love a class act organization.
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