Once again, I’m strapping on my pads for the LivSports 24 Hour Adult Hockey Marathon, benefitting LivFree, a pediatric cancer foundation dedicated to providing Moments of Joy to children and families facing childhood cancer. Whether it’s a game, a concert, a special trip, or simply a night away together, LivFree gives families the opportunity to step away from the battles they’re fighting and create memories together.

Last year, I stepped onto the ice because I believed in that mission. This year, that mission means even more to me.

Since then, I learned that my cousin’s nephew has been diagnosed with cancer. While I don’t know him personally, knowing that a child connected to my extended family is facing this battle has given me a different perspective on exactly who we are playing for and why organizations like LivFree matter. Behind every donation is an opportunity to give a child and their family something incredibly valuable: a chance to simply enjoy being together and experience a Moment of Joy.

Hockey has become a huge part of my life. It has challenged me, pushed me, and given me a community that feels like home. The 24 Hour Marathon gives me an opportunity to take the sport I love and use it for something much bigger than anything that happens on the scoreboard.

Playing hockey for 24 hours will challenge my endurance, focus, and mental toughness. But every tired shift, every sore muscle, and every save is worth it when I know why I’m out there.

I’m playing again this year to make a difference—one save at a time.

Every donation, regardless of the amount, helps LivFree create experiences and memories for children and families who deserve a break from the realities of childhood cancer. My goal isn’t simply to reach the fundraising minimum. I want to go beyond it and raise as much as I can for the families this organization serves.

Thank you for supporting me, supporting LivFree, and most importantly, supporting the children and families who give meaning to every stride, every shift, and every save.