Ceremonial Puck Drop at Madison Square Garden Brings Joy to Young Cancer Patient

A Massapequa Park Child’s Special Moment

Ryan Scarry, a 12-year-old native of Massapequa Park, was given the opportunity to perform the ceremonial puck drop at the New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Alumni Classic at Madison Square Garden. This special moment was made possible through the Garden of Dreams Foundation, which aims to make a positive impact on the lives of young people in need.

Overcoming Cancer

Ryan was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in August 2024, a type of cancer that occurs when the bone marrow produces too many B-cell lymphoblasts, according to the National Cancer Institute. He has spent over a month in the hospital and has undergone chemotherapy treatment and taken multiple medications.

A Day to Remember

On January 11, Ryan, accompanied by his parents and siblings, attended the Alumni Classic game. He met some of the players before the game and was brought onto the ice for the ceremonial puck drop with Alexei Yashin of the Islanders and Adam Graves of the Rangers in front of a crowd of approximately 7,000 fans.

Bringing Joy and Normalcy

“This actually made him like a kid again,” said Ryan’s father, Mike Scarry. “It brought some normalcy back into his life, and it was fun to watch and actually hear the crowd cheering for him.”

A Special Meeting with a Hall-of-Famer

After the game, Ryan was brought to a suite, where he met Hall-of-Famer Henrik Lundqvist. He received a signed jersey and had the opportunity to take pictures with the former Ranger star.

Support from the Garden of Dreams Foundation

“The Garden of Dreams Foundation strives to make a positive impact on the lives of young people in need, whether that means aiding them financially, giving them the opportunity to meet their favorite player or planning a fun activity for them and their family,” said Adam Graves, a Garden of Dreams Foundation board member.

Raising Money for a Good Cause

The Alumni game helped raise money for the Garden of Dreams Foundation and Northwell Health Foundation. Prior to the game, the two organizations received a $200,000 check.

Looking Ahead

Ryan has gone through ups and downs throughout his treatment, but he is currently in remission. He is on track to be cancer-free in 2027, which is a 30-month prognosis for children with leukemia.

Conclusion

The ceremonial puck drop at Madison Square Garden brought joy and normalcy back into Ryan’s life, and it is a memory that he will cherish. The support from the Garden of Dreams Foundation and the community is a reminder that there is hope and positivity in the face of adversity.

FAQs

* What is B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a type of cancer that occurs when the bone marrow produces too many B-cell lymphoblasts.
* What is the Garden of Dreams Foundation?
The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to make a positive impact on the lives of young people in need.
* What is the prognosis for children with leukemia?
The 30-month prognosis for children with leukemia means that they are expected to be cancer-free within 30 months.