The beneficiaries of the money raised by the 2012 Student-Teacher Benefit Hockey Game were two young students from M.C. Knoll School in Yorkton. William and Gavin Eason both have cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder which affects mainly the respiratory and digestive systems. The primary effect of the disorder is reduced lung capacity and associated chronic respiratory infections. Cystic fibrosis is characterized by the production of abnormally viscous mucus which require daily physiotherapy treatments and medication.
Both youngsters have been hospitalized many times since birth. The proceeds of the student-teacher benefit game will help with medical expenses and related costs.
Teacher representative Ryan Jordan, a teacher At M.C. Knoll School, reports the boys were out of school for hospital treatment four times last year alone. "I saw first hand the strain that it puts on families," he says.
Jordan suggests it takes a strong support system to raise children with cystic fibrosis. In searching for a beneficiary of the annual benefit game, the teachers settled on the Eason family because of the tremendous effort it took to deal with the ailment of their two children, says Jordan. "It was a group effort. It wasn't just our hockey team. It took likely close to 100 people to make this happen," he estimates.
The 26th annual event set another record for funds raised, yielding $8,680 which was donated to the Eason family.
This year the students proved to be the better team, claiming a 10-4 win over the teachers who brought in a ringer, former NHLer Jeff Odgers. Teacher player Bob Metzler claims this year's student team was the best the teachers have faced, noting their incredible skill and, more importantly, their speed on the ice.
