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Tuukka Thread: Before the city of Boston loses their collective minds over @tuukkarask opting out of the COVID season I want to share something about him, as a person, that perhaps would allow you to understand him more.
It all started when @davidwade did this piece on my daughter prior to her bone marrow transplant.
She has been a fan of Tuukka’s her entire life and the love for him and the @NHLBruins carried her through 4 years of treatment for cancer; one initial and one relapse.
After David’s story Bruins legend and world class human, John Bucyk, invited me to the @KowloonSaugus after the Game 7 loss. He had gotten Tuukka to sign a photo for Ava and wanted to make sure I got it to her ASAP.
The next week a friend of John’s sent Ava an autographed, game used, Tuukka stick. The next day John and his wife were sitting in our living room, building what is now an incredible relationship.
For anyone who has ever been on a transplant journey with their child, knows that it changes then physically for an incredible amount of time; Ava couldn’t eat. She lacked strength. She was losing so much weight. Her mind was starting to lose that incredible fortitude and joy.
Then one day Chief called and asked if he could come over one day, because he had a surprise for Ava. That day ended up being a check-up at @TheJimmyFund and was her absolute worst day post transplant. We were all concerned if she could sustain life outside the hospital.
And then this happens. That smile. That beautiful smile, which was physically so hard to do, came out for the first time in weeks.
Tuukka did not come to our house because he was asked to make a cancer fighter feel good. He came because he just HAD to meet this girl; to find out why him. We spent a good 90 minutes together talking about life; his marriage, baby on the way, etc. Real human stuff.
And the organization got wind and this kid had the time of her life, including fist bumping her the entire team, including Tuukka, who gave her a little flip of the stick, which he never does. He’s in his zone, but for Ava it was special for the both of them.
And that jersey? Tuukka and Chief made a call from our backyard to have the equipment crew make it for her. The Tuukka we know is human. He’s a husband. He’s a father.
