(above video courtesy wivb.com)
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On Monday, Blue Devil junior men’s hockey player Luke Rivera presented a check for $20,500 to the Kaleida Health Foundation to benefit the Gates Vascular Institute’s Stoke Center.
Rivera, of Pacific Palisades, Calif., is a finalist for the 2018 Hockey Humanitarian Award for his work organizing the annual Fredonia Stroke Awareness Game. The award is presented annually to college hockey's finest citizen — a student-athlete who makes significant contributions not only to his or her team but also to the community-at-large through leadership in volunteerism.
On hand to receive the check was Elad Levy, M.D., MBA, FACS, FAHA, director of stroke research, co-director of the Kaleida Health Stroke Center and cerebrovascular surgery and professor and chair of neurosurgery at the University at Buffalo, and Robert N. Sawyer Jr., M.D., FAHA, co-director of the Kaleida Health Stroke Center.
Rivera's inspiration is his mother, Dana, now fully recovered from a stroke eight years ago. Like her son, she has helped raise awareness by joining support groups and making speaking appearances in the Los Angeles area.
After his freshman season two years ago, Rivera - sidelined all this season because of an injury - approached Hockey Coach Jeff Meredith and asked to add the Stroke Awareness Game to the team's list of community service projects. They decided on a design of red camouflage jerseys and chose the Nov. 11, 2016 game vs. Potsdam for the first event. Luke's brother, Jake, was a Potsdam senior at the time, making it all the more fitting. Ms. Rivera and local stroke survivor Dan Kubera took part in a ceremonial puck drop.
The Stroke Awareness Game - held again this season vs. Potsdam - has raised over $20,000 for The Kaleida Health Foundation. Bob Lysyj, father of Blue Devil assistant coach Michael Lysyi, was this year's ceremonial puck drop participant.
In addition to his role with the Stroke Awareness Game, Rivera - as well of all of his teammates - takes part annually in the Blue Devils' Pink The Rink game, to benefit the breast cancer awareness and support. They are also involved in other community projects throughout the school year.
