Hockey Fights MS Staff
Darryl Arnold, Candice Arnold, Cathy Moeller, Kris Maguire
Our Story
Hockey Fights MS is a unique charitable organization whose mission is to raise money for research into the cause, cure and treatment of multiple sclerosis and to help improve the lives of those living with multiple sclerosis by supporting local rehabilitation centers. The inspiration to form this organization came as a direct response to my own diagnosis in August 2005. Immediately after being diagnosed, I spent days worrying about what my future would hold. I was only 25 years old and had my whole life ahead of me. Most importantly, I worried about whether I would be able to continue playing ice hockey.
I first started playing when I was about ten. I played for my high school boys team, then moved on to play for the Little Flyers and eventually the Washington Little Caps and Buffalo State College. As I'm sure many of my readers can relate, there wasn't much that existed outside of hockey.
I experienced my first symptoms of MS when I lost feeling and strength in my left arm. At the time, my niece was four weeks old and weighed only six pounds, yet I didn't have the strength to even hold her. I also started losing vision in my left eye and felt tired all the time. After several tests, the diagnosis was confirm and my fears started to set in. Rather than accepting defeat, though, I decided the only thing I could do was help find a cure. Within one week of being diagnosed, I started planning the first Hockey Fights MS tournament in Allentown, PA. Then, in 2007, after learning that an estimated 1 in 400 Vermont residents - twice the national average - are living with MS, I decided to add a second tournament in South Burlington, VT.
The Hockey Fights MS tournaments are currently open to adult men and women players of all ages and abilities. Since our inaugural event six years ago, we have watched the total number of participating teams increase from 7 to 49. Players have traveled from 15 states and Canada to participate in the three-day tournaments and to support our cause. The number of participants, volunteers and spectators continues to increase each year, reflecting the growing support from the local communities.
To date, our ice hockey tournaments have raised over $55,000 for MS research and rehabilitation centers such as the MS Center at Fletcher Allen Healthcare located in Burlington, VT and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation in Allentown, PA. Past recipients have included the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s New England and Greater Delaware Valley Chapters as well as Johns Hopkins Project RESTORE – one of the leading MS research facilities in the country. We are always looking for new organzations to support. If you are interested in becoming a beneficiary, please contact us or send an email to HockeyFightsMS@gmail.com.