Challenge to all Piha, MLRH and AIHL team owners

[Doug Jones]

Time for us to work together and help a young man get well. Last year it was Jacob Larson, this year, it's Casey Strale. Casey is at the Children's hospital of Orange county where he had a tumor partially removed from his heart. He is in critical condition. In speaking with his mom yesterday, they are awaiting him to recover so they can start chemo on the tumor on his kidney.

I coached Casey for two years as an MPC Bull and he is a text book hard worker and hustler. He is a kid that anyone would be proud to have as a son.

I am asking each of you to send him a well wish and a jersey, hat or shirt, so that he can start a collection of all the pro teams in PIHA, MLRH and AIHL.

We all may not be on the same page or battlefield, but surely we can all rise to a great cause to help someone in need.

Here's the address to the hospital: (courtesy of Jay Piz)

CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County
Attn: Casey Strale
455 South Main St.
Orange, CA 92868-3874
main phone: (714) 997-3000

We sent Casey a bunch of Gretzky pics, and a game worn Jersey with his playing number, # 5

[zipyaj]

A Great Challenge for a Worthy Cause, Doug! It's sometimes the stories about the little heroes of our sport who make us all bigger and better.

Casey had open heart surgery Saturday morning to remove portions of the tumor that had spread to his heart. He is currently on a heart and lung machine, which is doing the work for him. The doctors are optimistic with Casey’s response to the surgery. Casey does have a collapsed lung, so he will remain on the heart and lung machine until his lung situation changes. Today, Casey is scheduled for his first dose of chemotherapy.

The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.
~Frederick Buechner


For Casey Strale... a limited edition, Herrington CHOCO (the CHOC mascot) bear in full Ducks jersey and signed by George Parros from the folks at Give Blood Play Hockey. Get well soon, Casey!

[Rzorbck]

Thanks for posting this guys. The Thunder will be sending Casey a jersey and we will also be holding a benefit intra-squad scrimmage next week with all proceeds going to him and his family. There's more information on our website - www.costhunder.com.

[Doug Jones]

Thanks for posting this guys. The Thunder will be sending Casey a jersey and we will also be holding a benefit intra-squad scrimmage next week with all proceeds going to him and his family. There's more information on our website - www.costhunder.com.

That's so great! Casey's dad emailed me today to thank us for what we did. I know that the family will appreciate the gesture!

Doug

[zipyaj]

Everyone... we do good things together when we need to!

Tonight (Fri, Oct. 2nd), people in the community came together in a salute to young Casey at the 949 Roller Hockey Center for their Friday Night Lights Jr. High league. The stands were filled and they cheered loudly. Leading the spirit and cheer was Casey's Grandma who wore his jersey while he recovers (yes, recovers!) in the CHOC hospital with mom & dad at his side. Following a baseball-like score match that Casey's team won, Casey's Grandma entered the rink to share some post game love with the team -- very touching! (pics)

Meanwhile, Casey continues to overcome the odds against him, but the fight isn't over yet!

I never cease to be amazed about how tight our roller hockey community can be when it needs to be... don't forget that it needs to be tight and not not fight.

Thanks for all you do!

[MBurke]

Ok neither PIHA/MLRH/AIHL, but ECRHA and Towson University thought Casey might like some collegiate jerseys, too!

- Towson University
- ECRHA All-Star Jersey (with Casey's #5)

[Doug Jones]

Right on!!!!! that's so great!

You guys rock!

[Doug Jones]

There have to be some other teams to reach out to Casey!

Please take the time to show your support and to let him know that while some of us are up to 3,000 miles away, we still can support his recovery and make his day by sending him anything from the existing pro teams. With over 70 profesional teams in the AIHL, PIHA, MRHL and the ECRHA, we can all make a difference!

[Rzorbck]

We had a very good turnout Thursday night to support this cause and will be sending our jersey soon. Click here to read the article.

[Doug Jones]

Dave, you and the Thunder are class acts. It's wonderful what you've done for Casey and his family. Am I surprised? absolutely not. The Thunder has always been an organization that exhudes class and has once again shown that regardless of where someone may be, The Thunder will always be there to help anyway they can.

Doug

[zipyaj]

Dave, you and the Thunder are class acts. It's wonderful what you've done for Casey and his family. Am I surprised? absolutely not. The Thunder has always been an organization that exhudes class and has once again shown that regardless of where someone may be, The Thunder will always be there to help anyway they can. Doug

Dave and Team Thunder;
I followed your link and read the story you published there - great job and a heartfelt effort by you and your organization on Casey's behalf.

I shared your story yesterday with the Strale family spokesperson. She replied, "The Hockey Community is amazing! Thank you! I sent it to the Strales!"

One more demonstration of how this community can pull together.

Thank you, and I agree with Doug - "you and the Thunder are class acts!"

Best!

[Havelock17]

Right on Doug. Casey will be getting some retro gear (Minutemen and Stampede jerseys) and we'll have a Surge Hat & T-Shirt sent to him as well!

[Doug Jones]

Thank you Chris I know that getting the Surge and Minutemen stuff will really make his day!

D