Zebras Care in Hamilton

Four NHL officials gave the gift of time to some special kids at MacMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, shortly before Christmas. As part of the Zebras Care charitable organization, Officials Brad Kovachik, Mark Shewchyk, Scott Driscoll and Greg Devorski took time from their busy schedules to visit with some extraordinary patients and to tour the facility.

Brad Kovachik, Greg Devorski, Mark Shewchyk and Scott Driscoll

The four officials gathered in the waiting area of the Pediatric Critical Care Unit and met with several patients and their families. Some of the hard working staff members at MacMaster Children's Hospital were also on hand. The officials handed out autographed trading cards, NHL pucks and Zebras Care hats to the patients and staff. They answered a variety of questions and posed for some photographs with eager patients Brandon Pacheco, Amber Hickey, Gabriel Oldenburg and Michael Cilia. Mark Shewchyk, in particular, drew a number of questions as he was sporting a recent injury. Mark had four stitches and a black eye, courtesy of an accidental high stick from an NHL player earlier in the week.

Brad Kovachik, Brandon Pacheco [the real # 1 in this picture] and Mark Shewchyk

“Being able to do this visit so close to Christmas means a lot,” says Linesman Brad Kovachik, a founding member of the Zebras Care program. “It puts everything into perspective and to be able to put a smile on a child's face means the world to me.” The officials had a lot of fun with the children and their families. “W formed Zebras Care to make a positive impact on the lives of children,” says Kovachik. “As our charity grows larger and larger, we’ll be taking more advantage of opportunities like this one.”

Scott Driscoll and Amber Hickey showing a few of the gifts presented by Zebras Care

The visit had a great impact on Greg Devorski, as well. "It was great to meet all the kids and their families and to share some stories and a few laughs,” he says. “Seeing the smiles on their faces, including the moms and dads, left me with a really good feeing inside. The hospital staff was just as enthusiastic and welcomed us with open arms. It was very gratifying to give a little Christmas cheer to all the families and their loved ones. I wish them all speedy recoveries and good health for 2010 and beyond."

Gabriel Oldenburg surrounded by Zebras and his parents

Before visiting with the kids, Mark, Scott, Greg and Brad were greeted by Katie Graham, Coordinator from MacMaster Children's Hospital. Katie took them on a tour of the newly opened Ambulatory Care section of the hospital, then to two very important Clinics, the Oncology - Hematology Unit and Pediatric Critical Care Unit. The Oncology - Hematology Unit in an open-concept clinic that treats every aspect of various forms of childhood cancer. Not only do they treat existing patients, but the Aftercare Program also currently monitors more than 400 survivors of childhood cancers.

Michael Cilia giving some tips to the guys on how to drop a puck

The staff of the clinic numbers 33 and includes pediatric oncologists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and social workers. They are responsible for all aspects of childhood cancer treatment from chemotherapy, to blood transfusions, to checkups and blood counts, to bone marrow aspirates and lumbar punctures. Currently, there are 65 children that attend the clinic from between one and three times a week, for up to two years. That translates to approximately 5,000 patient visits per year for the clinic. The officials learned that leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer. In the 1960s, a child diagnosed with leukemia had a 5 - 10% survival rate, but now, due to research and advances in medicine, the survival rate is up to 80%.

Next, the officials visited the Pediatric Critical Care Unit [PCCU]. With only eight beds, the unit treats more than more 600 children each year. Three-quarters of admissions are of the urgent nature, while one-quarter is for elective surgery. Patients are admitted for a variety of reasons, including seizures, diabetes, trauma cancer and respiratory problems. Thirty percent of these patients are younger than 2 years old.

MacMaster Children's Hospital in located in Hamilton Ontario. With 124 acute-care beds and 40 pediatric specialty care clinics, it is one of the two busiest children's hospitals in Ontario. It wasn’t the first time some of the officials had been at MacMaster’s. In fact, three current NHL officials have close ties to the hospital. Driscoll and two other current NHL officials, Scott Cherrey and Kevin Pollock, are from the area and have all had children treated at MacMaster Children's Hospital for a variety of reasons. Mark Shewchyk’s wife delivered all four of their children there, including their 2-year-old twins.

Zebras Care is a charitable organization of the National Hockey League Officials’ Association. The aim of Zebras Care is to bring joy to children across North America and to grow the great game of hockey. Its goal is to provide the opportunity for underprivileged and sick children to meet many NHLOA members and to attend a National Hockey League game in person, when possible. On behalf of the NHLOA, the officials would like to thank the staff at MacMaster Children's Hospital for the opportunity to come visit with some very special children and their families. They are looking forward to more such visits through the Zebras Care program.