Over 9,000 children aged 0-14 in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in 2023, according to the American Cancer Society.
In Hamden, that statistic hit home for 5-year-old Luca Small, who is currently battling brain cancer. Hundreds of Hamden community members gathered at Louis Astorino Ice Arena on Oct. 22 for the “Skate for Luca” fundraiser — raising nearly $64,000.
“We all came together as friends and did what we had to do to support,” said 72-year-old Alice Sette, a friend of the Small family. “Luca’s a great kid and he’s been through a lot.”
Luca was diagnosed with brain cancer at 18 months old and suffered a stroke following his first brain surgery. He’s been receiving physical, occupational and water therapy in addition to two brain surgeries since being transferred to Boston Children’s Hospital for treatment.
“He’s a warrior,” said Jessica Longobardi, 34, a friend of the Small family.
Local business K&J Tree Services, along with the Hamden Police Benevolent Association, organized the event. It amassed over 50 sponsors who supplied numerous raffle prizes and baked goods for sale.
One of the event’s marquee sponsors was Quinnipiac University and the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. QU donated over $200,000 to the ice arena — with some of the money going to new skates.
Sporting the NCAA Division I national championship trophy they won this past season, players on the men’s team staffed a booth and stood behind the trophy.
Players on the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams skated inside “The Lou” with the Hamden public — mainly children — while others strolled around the raffle stations or played street hockey and cornhole with other kids.
Graduate student defenseman CJ McGee felt that this event encapsulates community.
“You see everybody come together for something like this, it’s so special and awesome to see,” McGee said.
The importance of giving back is something both programs value, including senior forward women’s player Nina Steigauf.
“I’m a really big believer in giving back and paying it forward,” Steigauf said. “I also like giving back to kids, I remember when I was this age it was so instrumental to see people that I looked up (to).”
For the children and parents alike, seeing team members interact with their kids means the world.
“These (kids) get some cool ice time with top-end players,” said Ricky Murphy, 43, who has two sons below 10. “It’s a great event.”
But all of that doesn’t cloud who the event is for — Luca and the Small family.
With cards filled with messages like “Get better soon Luca” and “We love you Luca,” posters that said “Luca Warrior” and people sporting merch of the same name, everyone knows who and what the event is for.
The “Skate for Luca” fundraiser and event was objectively successful. On Fund the First it exceeded its goal of $50,000, and currently sits at $63,845 as of Oct. 23. Hundreds of people attended, supporting the event in some way while also having a good time.
But the event is something that the people closest to the Small family view in a different, more vulnerable light.
“It breaks my heart that we have to be here,” Alyssa Piroli, 34, and one of the Small family’s closest friends said, holding back tears. “I hate being here at all these events. But we have to be.”
Piroli also cemented the importance of community and how much it means to the Small family and Luca.
“It means absolutely everything to (the Small’s),” Piroli said. “To know that there’s an army of people surrounding them with love and support.”