Men's Ice Hockey | February 17, 2017
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- On Saturday the Western Michigan hoceky team will hold its annual Ice Duchenne event to support a cure to defeat Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. A charity event birthed when a member of the WMU hockey family Louie, and son of former associate head coach Rob Facca was diagnosed with Duchenne at the age of three.
Duchenne's is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood, affecting approximately one in 3,500 boys worldwide. The disease results in the degeneration of muscle and affects the legs, heart, lungs and brain. While there is no cure, aggressive therapy and treatments have helped Louie and many boys around the world slow the effects of the disease.
Upon entering the game, each fan will receive a metallic gold 'Defeat Duchenne' cup, courtesy of Allegra painting and the WMU School of Medicine. Inside each cup will be a small brochure with information about one of four families affected by Duchenne in Southwest Michigan. The four families, the Carlins', the Friars', the Sweet's, and the Phillips' along with a host of volunteers will be in attendance Saturday to help raise donations for a cure.
During the game raffle tickets will be sold for several exciting prizes. The prizes include a chance to win a Matt Tennyson Carolina Hurricanes or a Luke Witkowski Tampa Bay Lightning autographed jersey. A separate raffle will give one lucky winner two tickets to the 2017 NCAA Frozen Four and three nights lodging in Chicago.
If fans prefer to give a cash donation, collection buckets will be passed throughout the stands with the help of the synchronizing skate team.
Facca, now an amateur scout with the Chicago Blackhawks expressed his gratitude for Western Michigan's continuous support of Ice Duchenne.
"This is a testament to WMU and the hockey program that they continue to support his cause. It means a lot to us and to all the families that go through this," Facca said. We are very grateful and happy that WMU still continues to raise money in hope for a cure!"
Sponsors supporting Ice Duchenne range from Southwest Michigan Dermatology, Indian Trails, to Ameriprise Financial. The Rally for Ryan Foundation, traveling from Chicago, will be in attendance at Saturdays game and has vowed to match fan contributions up to $3,000. In total, with the help of fans, the Broncos hope to turn over $10,000 to the Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy.
If you are unable to attend the game, you can make a donation directly to Ice Duchenne by visiting the website at www.iceduchenne.org.
