Ten-year-old Maeson Stabbler, a patient of Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton at the age of five when he needed open heart surgery, is working to give back to the facility that was there for him when he needed help.
Now 10, Maeson and his family are organizing a fundraising hockey tournament with proceeds to go to the hospital.
Maeson is the son of Cory and Michelle Stabbler, former Unity residents who now live in Cold Lake, Alta. Maeson's grandparents, Val and Vicky McLean and Dorothy Stabbler, reside in Unity.
Maeson was admitted to Unity Hospital in January of 2007. He had a fever that could not be broken, and he was quickly transferred to Saskatoon. After numerous tests and consultations, Maeson was booked for open heart surgery at Stollery Children's Hospital. The five-hour procedure to repair a hole in Maeson's heart and to repairing a leaking valve was completed Sept. 17.
Maeson's parents have glowing praise for the care and guidance Maeson and their family received while in Stollery's care. On Oct. 31, just 44 days after the procedure, Maeson was back playing the sport he loves, hockey.
In the years since, Maeson has asked for donations in lieu of birthday presents to give to the Stollery Children's Hospital. These contributions support "the beach," an area of Stollery where new toys are set out for patients to enjoy once they are well enough.
This year, Maeson, who plays centre on his hockey team, has decided to host a fundraising tournament with funds also being allocated to Stollery. While his parents realized this was a tremendous undertaking, Maeson was not taking "no" for an answer thus began the process of organizing the Stabbler Stollery Hockey Tournament to be held on Thanksgiving weekend.
"We have a 12-team tournament, with squads coming from all around the area," says Maeson's mom, Michelle. "One team coming from Edmonton has players from Yellowknife, where Maeson played in a tournament last year, so they're returning the favour."
According to Cory, Maeson's dad, "this team representation reflects the reality of Stollery who have patients from all over as well."
Other teams will come from Lloydminster, Marwayne and Kitscoty.
"The intention of the tournament", said Cory, "is to have fun, so no prizes will be awarded. Everybody wins that comes."
There will be a silent auction with items such as a signed Oil Kings stick and a jersey signed by the Phoenix Coyotes and sent by their right winger Boyd Gordon, as well as 50/50 tickets.
"Our goal is $10,000," noted Cory.
Everyone is welcome to come and watch the tournament and there is no entry fee. The opening ceremony is at 11 a.m. Oct. 6, with the tournament ending Sunday around 6 p.m. More information is available at www.s3showdown.com.
