Em tampões Frozen da coragem do› de Blog

Quebraram meu coração para ver estas crianças, alguns nos wheelchairs, outros com os tubos numerosos e os bandages do IV, e a maravilha que sorte do inferno e seus pais estão vivendo. But then you see the smiles on their faces when Chris Clark autographs a hat for them, or Brent Johnson asks what color he should color the hockey player’s helmet, or when a little girl runs over to Olie Kolzig as he says “Hi there pigtails, how are you?” There is also a simple joy of seeing these larger-than-life hockey players sitting down with their favorite Crayola hue and trying to stay in the lines.

I was speaking with the hospital’s manager of public relations, Emily Dammeyer, who told me that this is the hospital’s favorite event of the year. “They really spend time with the children, not just make an appearance, especially upstairs where the cameras are off.” Kolzig signs a Courage Cap

Which made me think of Olie, who not only has been coming to Children’s National Medical Center more than anyone else in the organization, but is also a father. I asked him how this experience has changed from before he was a dad to after.

“I’ve always had a fondness for kids, and been a big believer that being a kid and being sick shouldn’t go hand in hand … then you become a father and then you realize how vital it is to have a facility like this.”

The only thing missing from yesterday’s event was the media. Press releases announcing the event and photo op were sent out by the Capitals and the Children’s National Medical Center. Perhaps I missed some faces and names, but I believe only I, a Comcast SportsNet TV Cameraman, and two photographers attended. How such tremendous works by an organization and its players can go unnoticed or with little interest is repugnant.

My thanks go out to the Capitals and everyone at Children’s National Medical Center, especially Emily Dammeyer and Mark Miller, for affording me the privilege to witness this annual event of kindness and caring.

A few more pictures of the event can be seen after the break.

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Posted at 10:41 am. Filed under Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Brent Johnson, Chris Clark, John Erskine, Media, Michael Nylander, Nicklas Backstrom, Olaf Kolzig, Steve Eminger, Ted Leonsis, Tom Poti, Washington Capitals.
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8 Comments

B.ORR4 wrote:

The Post and Times had to devote extra pages to the life altering loss by the Redskins. You need to get your priorities in order.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 10:47 am | Permalink
maruk wrote:

I’ll be at the game on the 26th and I look forward to purchasing a cap. Nice job, Caps.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 11:05 am | Permalink
vt caps fan wrote:

Usually I’d say I’d have loved to be one of those kids hanging out with hockey players, but instead I’d much rather be one of the hockey players hanging out with those kids.

Nice story.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 11:21 am | Permalink
Gmann wrote:

Every year this event reaffirms my belief that hockey players are the nicest people in all of pro sports. I’ll be wearing my cap proudly!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 2:50 pm | Permalink
KCK wrote:

Video from Comcast if you would like…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOL84bYE2TQ

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 3:58 pm | Permalink
steph wrote:

heartwarming and tear jerking for sure. Love the one picture with Brashear in the background, who must be on his knees to talk to the little guy.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 11:04 pm | Permalink
Mark wrote:

Great coverage guys, thanks.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 12:08 pm | Permalink
dorgeloh wrote:

Will be getting my cap for sure. Thanks guys (caps) for doing this work.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 3:23 pm | Permalink