Former Ohio State women’s hockey player Danielle Gagne engages in life changing journey

-
Redefining the meaning of resilience, Danielle Gagne shall be engaging in a remarkable journey that will not only change her life, but is poised to improve the quality of others lives. Having once played for the Ohio State Buckeyes women’s ice hockey program, Gagne is spending this summer with the ambitions to participate in a bike ride that shall span 4000 miles in 70 days.
Such an ambition is akin to two other empowering women. Last summer, Clara Hughes, who has represented Canada in both the Summer and Winter Games, cycled across Canada to raise money for mental health. Sponsored by Bell, Hughes successfully completed the courageous trek over 40 days.
Another Canadian athlete who engaged in a cross-country journey was hockey coach Ashley Gilbank. Rollerblading across Canada in 2012, she also raised funds for mental health, with Do It for Daron as the beneficiary.
As she recounted to Women’s Hockey Life, Gagne shall be burning approximately 240,000 calories. Having started in Baltimore on May 31, her journey is scheduled to end on August 8 in San Francisco, with the goal to raise awareness for cancer.
Of note, she shall not be engaging in this trek alone. Believing in the power of teamwork, she is part of four difrerent teams, composing 30 total riders, part of an admirable initiative titled 4K for Cancer. The creation of a non-profit organization known as The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, looking to help instill self-esteem in young adults suffering from cancer.
As a side note, a remarkable 89% of funds raised shall go towards the numerous programs and resources aimed to assist young adults suffering from cancer. The ultimate goal of raising over $1 million dollars was actually surpassed on May 29, while Gagne has already met her minimum amount of $4,500.
Gagne is riding with three family members in her heart. Having lost her maternal grandfather to lung cancer, her paternal grandfather lost his battle with liver cancer eight years ago.
Sadly, there is another person that Gagne will be riding for. Her three year-old nephew, Otis Spencer, was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. Although he is in his fourth cycle of chemotherapy, no child should ever have to endure such miserable suffering. His toughness and courage is a sense of inspiration for the very determined Gagne.

Donations can be made at http://4kforcancer.org/profiles/danielle-gagne/ or her personal blog: http://classicgags.wordpress.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cheyenne Matus looking to make her mark with Rowan University

-
The road that Cheyenne Matus followed on her way to university hockey is one that many have taken before her. Competing in boys’ hockey, the feelings of resentment add to an uneasiness that is all too often, a sad yet character-building rite of passage. While she competed in other sports, such as soccer and softball, the Friday Night Skate at the local armory had captivated her. Three years later, the experience of house league hockey and private lessons paid dividends as Matus became a budding star in the various Boys Leagues. Reality would rear its ugly head once Matus became of high school age. Despite the fact that her skills were such that she was invited to compete in the high school spring league (before her freshman year was to begin), she found herself unfairly isolated and ostracized because she was the only girl competing. Once summer became autumn and school bells filled the air, Matus had endured three difficult days of tryouts. Despite showing hard work and d
Read more

Sarah Davis contributes three points as Minnesota Golden Gophers capture first game of 2014 Hockey City Classic

-
Image
For a Minnesota Golden Gophers squad that has made its share of NCAA women’s hockey history, January 18 marked a new milestone for the proud program. Competing at TCF Bank Stadium, the Golden Gophers competed in their first home outdoor game. It was also the first NCAA Division I outdoor game ever held in the state of Minnesota. With an attendance of 6,623 fans, it was the largest attendance for a home game since November 2, 1997, the first game in program history (an 8-0 win against Augsburg). Of note, the Golden Gophers played in one other outdoor game, a January 29, 2011 contest on the road versus the Wisconsin Badgers. Attendance for that event was 10,668 fans, the highest attendance for a road game in program history. Playing against fellow WCHA rivals, the Minnesota-State Mankato Mavericks, the Hockey City Classic marked what fans hope can become an annual tradition. Improving their mark to 21-1-1 on the strength of three points by Sarah Davis, the Golden Gophers have
Read more

Acquisition of Bailey Bram by Sweden’s Linkoping a revolutionary step in women’s game

-
Image
While the world of women’s hockey is dominated in international play by Canada and the United States, the borders in the global game are slowly dissolving. Last season, All-World goaltender Florence Schelling spoiled Canadian hockey fans by competing with the CWHL’s Brampton Thunder. In January 2014, Sweden’s LHC Dam (also known as Linkoping) has reciprocated by bringing Bailey Bram into the fold. Truly a historic signing, it recognizes the value that women's players from North America mean to the growth of the game globally. Ironically, Bram was Schelling’s teammate with the Thunder for the 2012-13 season.   The sojourn to Sweden represents the third country where Bram shall play competitive hockey. In addition to her native Canada, she played four years of collegiate hockey in the United States with Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. Reputed as a great team player and a friendly personality, Bram is the perfect ambassador for the game in Sweden.     Having pla
Read more