As we pass the one-month mark of the "Do it for Doczy" campaign, we are pleased to announce that through online donations and bracelet sales, we are approaching the $20,000.00 mark of our $50,000.00 goal for Milan Doczy. A website,www.milandoczy.com has also been set up by the staff/students at Brock University and that is where we will be directing all online donations or people looking to donate in person at their local TD branch.
We have currently turned off donations on this Go Fund Me website and encourage everyone to visit www.milandoczy.com to donate into a registered this registeredvTrust Fund. This was done to help deliver a consistent and cohesive message.
All money raised through the Go Fund Me site will be transferred over to the TD Trust Fund, which can be found at www.milandoczy.com. The TD trust fund does not require any percentage of donations for administrative purposes, whereas a Go Fund Me site does take a small percentage. We feel this is the best way to continue to help Milan.
Do it for Doczy wristbands are also still available in Owen Sound at the DJ's Furniture Attack Box Office or at the Attack Pak Booth on game nights. Students or staff at Brock University can purchase the wristbands at their Campus Store, Walker Complex Welcome Desk, Isaac's, The Cage or Front Row Sports. Bracelets are $5.00.
The Attack also wish to thank the Sarnia Sting who have purchased 200 bracelets to sell at their home games.
Thanks again for all of your support! Please find Milan's complete story from his website below:
Milan first arrived in Canada from his native Czech Republic in 2007 at the age of 17 to play hockey for the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Following his time in the OHL, which included playing at the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2009, Milan decided to take advantage of the OHL's scholarship program and pursue a Canadian university education. For years, the OHL has offered financial support to players from Canada and the U.S. who wish to pursue a post-secondary education. But Milan's request for educational funding was denied when the OHL ruled he was ineligible to receive a scholarship. Apparently, very few European players had applied for educational funding after their time in the OHL had ended, which allowed a loophole to remain in the system. Undaunted by the ruling,Milan stood his ground and was eventually approved for the scholarship funding. In September 2012, he enrolled at Brock University where he currently studies financial economics and plays on the men's hockey team.
While putting on his skates one day late last spring, Milan noticed a mole on his foot he hadn't seen before. Wanting to get it checked out but hindered by timing and his insurance coverage as an international student, it was September before he was finally able to see a doctor. The doctor did not seem overly concerned by the mole's appearance, but at Milan's request, referred him to a plastic surgeon. The surgeon looked at the mole and immediately confirmed it would need to be removed. Milan and his girlfriend, Justine, could tell from the tone of the doctor's voice he was concerned. Milan and Justine left the office feeling nervous and uneasy.
A couple weeks following the removal of the mole, Milan received a call from the doctor's office to schedule a follow-up appointment. He was in the middle of midterm exams and the hockey team was about to depart on a road trip to Montreal so he asked for the appointment to be scheduled the following week. The receptionist on the other end of the call was adamant that he not delay the appointment and urged him to meet with the doctor as soon as possible. Hanging up the phone, it was evident the diagnosis he was now scheduled to receive a few days later would be life-changing. The next few days were agonizing for Milan and Justine as they worried about the uncertainty surrounding Milan's health. On October 31st, they were sitting anxiously in the doctor's office waiting to receive the diagnosis when the doctor walked in, shut the door, and without hesitation said, "It's melanoma skin cancer." Milan and Justine were devastated. Although they had anticipated distressing news, the doctor's words were crushing. Receiving this diagnosis thousands of kilometers away from his home and family made it even more overwhelming. They walked out in shock and disbelief. Getting in the car, they broke down in tears. Word soon began spreading to people close to Milan. Those of us who know him were left unsettled and saddened from learning that someone so likeable and ambitious with such a bright future full of potential had been diagnosed with cancer.
Early in November, a dermatologist specializing in melanoma performed a sentinel lymph node biopsy to determine if the cancer had spread to any lymph nodes. On November 24th, Milan received more devastating news. The results of this procedure showed the cancer had spread to the sentinel lymph node and possibly other nearby lymph nodes and internal organs. CT and MRI scans were then used to determine if cancer cells had spread further to his brain or lungs. Once again, Milan and Justine found themselves waiting apprehensively for the results. They struggled to remain optimistic knowing that each of the previous doctor's appointments had brought about increasingly disconcerting news and disappointment. Finally, they were met with good news as the scans had not detected cancer cells in his brain or lungs.
Milan will soon begin receiving high-dose interferon therapy to treat the cancer. Interferon is a drug given to boost the immune system in order to reduce the growth of cancer cells and can cause harsh side effects. Although the latest results from the MRI and CT scans brought some relief, next month Milan will undergo surgery to remove more lymph nodes. After removal, these nodes will be examined for cancer cells. The results of this procedure will determine whether radiation therapy will be used in combination with the interferon.
Milan's treatment will be tremendously expensive. He is enrolled in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), which is a mandatory health plan for all international non-residents studying at Brock University. However, UHIP will not cover his treatment expenses. His parents, who do not speak English, earn modest Czech incomes with little money to spare. They have been as supportive as possible while remaining in the Czech Republic during his entire ordeal. Contact with them has been limited to phone calls and video chats since travelling to Canada to be with him would create additional challenges and is cost-prohibitive.
Many of us who know Milan want to support him financially throughout his treatment. A trust fund has been established to help cover his treatment-related expenses. Donations can be made to the trust fund at any TD Canada Trust branch or via PayPal.
Source - Owen Sound Attack
