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Chicago Steel visit kids at LivingWell Cancer Resource Center
GENEVA – Perhaps the only thing needed to make the LivingWell Cancer Resource Center multi-purpose room feel more like the United Center were 22,000 screaming fans.
Visiting on Oct. 19, the Chicago Steel hockey team partnered with the Geneva-based nonprofit organization to bring eight children and their families affected by cancer at least one opportunity to escape life's challenges for an afternoon.
Fresh off its Clark Cup championship achieved this year, the team made arts and crafts, played shoot the puck and posed with the trophy for pictures with the participants.
Using a yardstick and a roll of masking tape as opposed to a hockey stick and puck, Deonta, an 11-year old from Batavia, just might give Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane a run for his money in a few years.
As Steel defenseman John Spetz assumed his position "in goal" – a table on its side – Deonta stood in the center waiting for his star moment. Using one hand, he forcefully slid the tape under Spetz's left hand with no hesitation.
As the room erupted in cheers, Deonta, seizing his moment, kicked, crossed his feet and promptly dipped his head into his elbow with his arm extended for a brief moment – more commonly known as "dabbing".
Before trying a second time, Deonta warned Spetz he'd be going hard on him, which prompted laughs from the whole team.
This is the third consecutive year the United States Hockey League organization has partnered with LivingWell for an activity with the kids at the facility. The center has at least two programs based on age: "Club Courageous" for ages seven to 12, and "Braveheart" for ages three to six. Both groups participated in the event.
One child let out an audible "oh!" when the team, donning their home sweaters, first entered the crafts room. Smiles sprang from the children's faces across the board.
LivingWell has serviced over 20,000 cancer participants spanning 12 years for free, per Lori Hansen, the philanthropy coordinator for six years. The center sees about 300 to 400 participants per week. Participants, their families and caregivers can take cooking classes, yoga and related lifestyle activities at the facility.
Hansen recalled one participant's definition of the center: "LivingWell is how the world should be. Because when you're here, nobody judges you."
Graham Lillibridge, a Geneva-native and defenseman, is in his second year on the team. Lillibridge participated in the LivingWell event for his second time, and embraces being an ambassador for the Steel in his hometown.
"It's nice that I can be a role model for some kids, or they're able to relate to me, since I'm from Geneva," Lillibridge said.
Third-year Steel president, Dan Lehv, recognizes the care and impact of LivingWell goes beyond the patient, but also the network of people involved. The Steel has maintained a partnership with LivingWell since the organization moved to the Fox Valley area in 2015-16.
"We love the work that they're doing here in the community," Lehv said. "They're making an incredible impact, and if we can impact that by one afternoon visit and put a smile on the faces of the kids, that's incredible."