Page 14 - RS 8 2019 ONLINE

HEROS

heroes Beyond hockey

Tad O’Had, associate head coach of the Florida Everblades, To honor these courageous kids and to encourage donations
supports fighters on and off the ice. to the hospital, he decided to challenge himself physically the
Being involved in hockey as a player and as a youth, junior day before his 39th birthday. Months in advance, he planned
and pro coach of the Everblades, O’Had knows the value of and trained to row, bike and run 39 miles and complete
fighting and persevering. 3,900 weight repetitions. He sent emails to 39 people who
have influenced him throughout his life, thanking them and
“I spend every day with men trained to battle on the ice,” he asking them to support the hospital.
said. “I have found that you never know the true meaning
of strength until the moment you are met with adversity. Throughout his challenge, O’Had checked in with Everblades
Strength has very little to do with the weight you move or trainer Chris Emrick to be accountable and make sure he
the time you score. Strength is endured through the ability to didn’t get injured.
show up and battle.” “To say I was exhausted is an understatement, but no matter
Four years ago, O’Had faced a fight of his own when he was how hard that day was for me, it pales in comparison to what
diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, an uncommon those kids are going through,” he said. “When you look at a
type of blood-cell cancer that originates in the bone marrow. child who is hurting or receiving lifesaving care, and they’re
Receiving that news totally changed his perspective. doing it with a smile on their face, it’s truly inspiring. I find a
great deal of strength in that.”
“I realized how fortunate I am, and I worked on growing and
persevering,” he said, noting he is now in remission. “I’m Through the generosity of friends, family and players, he
thankful for the progress I have made, the people that have raised well over his target of $3,900 for Golisano Children’s
helped me get here and that I’m on the road to good health.” Hospital.
For his birthday in February, he decided to give back to the “I think the biggest thing we need to do as members of the
community that has supported him. community is to show compassion and provide service

Through a partnership between the Florida Everblades to one another,” he said. “We may never understand the
and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida that struggles that others are undergoing around us, but by
includes the annual teddy bear toss to collect stuffed animals supporting organizations like Golisano Children’s Hospital,
for children at the hospital, O’Had and team members met we are impacting the youth of the community and possibly
some of the children and their families and heard their saving a life. If you can help at any level, you should. It’s the
struggles. right thing to do.”
“Golisano Children’s Hospital is a place that embodies O’Had credits his mother Cheryl Gnojek with his drive to help
what it means to be strong,” he said. “Seeing these kids others. He’s not sure what he’ll be doing for his birthday next
in pain was heartbreaking, but also very humbling. Their year, but he’s grateful for the opportunity to support Golisano
perseverance is inspiring.” Children’s Hospital this year.
To learn how you can help, visit
LeeHealthFoundation.org/Golisano.
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