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Devils hockey to host Stroke Awareness Night Friday

Photo Courtesy of SUNY Fredonia The Fredonia Blue Devils hockey team will host Potsdam on Friday in a SUNYAC contest at Steele Hall. The team will wear red camouflage jerseys for Stroke Awareness Night.

Fredonia men’s hockey player Luke Rivera was 15-years-old when his mom, Dana, had a massive stroke which left half her body paralyzed from head to toe. Luke and his three siblings had to grow up fast.

“My mom is the glue of our family at home,” he said. “She does everything she possibly could to take care of our family so when she was in the hospital that made me, my little brother, sister and older brother really step up and take care of her as much as we could, visit every day, and take care of each other.”

The Riveras continue to step up. Prior to the season, Luke approached his coach about holding Stroke Awareness Night at one of the Blue Devil home games. This Friday’s SUNYAC home game against the Potsdam Bears was the date they chose.

The Blue Devils will wear red camouflage jerseys to mark the occasion. In addition, the team has asked that fans wear red to show their support for stroke awareness as well as for the Veteran’s Day celebration on campus Friday.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Fundraising efforts are already underway. “Stroke Awareness” wristbands will be on sale in Steele Hall. There will be a raffle of many donated items — among them, a signed hockey stick, a restaurant gift card, a signed Team Stroke Awareness poster, and tickets to Pink the Rink. Rivera’s grandmother, Arleen Bachner, will be bringing additional items and donations. There will also be a silent auction of a game-worn autographed jersey.

All proceeds will benefit The Kaleida Health Foundation. Fans wishing to make donations can make out checks to The Foundation and any checks not collected Friday can be mailed to Head Hockey Coach Jeff Meredith, Fredonia University, Fredonia, N.Y. 14063.

Dana Rivera, seven years removed from her stroke, has regained full mobility through intense rehabilitation. She will be on hand Friday with her husband, Rick, and her parents. She and local resident Dan Kubera, another stroke victim and long-time friend of Blue Devil hockey, will take part in a ceremonial puck drop.

“My mother has done so much to bounce back from her stroke,” Luke said. “She continues to move forward and work extremely hard (and) along with her hard work and dedication, she extends her determination to the community and other stroke survivors.”

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