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Amerks Give Back to Rochester's Hemophilia Center

March 31, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... Rochester Americans Vice President of Hockey Operations Ted Nolan stepped outside his daily routine of operating the American Hockey League's second oldest franchise last week to give back to a local organization in need. Nolan, along with two other members of the Amerks front office, visited the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center at Rochester General Hospital to learn more about the services the facility provides to its patients and to personally invite those involved in the treatment Center to come to an Amerks game.

Earlier this season, the Amerks received a letter from the Center's Social Worker, Eric Iglewski, reaching out for help in the form of a ticket donation in order to allow Hemophilia patients an opportunity to experience the fast-paced fun of a professional hockey game. The chance to attend an Amerks game would create both a mental and physical diversion of their normal lives and create a unique social gathering where patients can interact with others afflicted with this very rare condition.

The call for help was answered by Ingleside Machine Company, an organization based out of Farmington and one of the Amerks' loyal season suite holders. Gary Veomett, Ingleside's owner, graciously purchased and donated his company's tickets so that the Hemophilia Center and its patients could take advantage of a night out - free of charge of course.

Just a few days later, Nolan walked through the Center's doors and hand-delivered the 52 tickets to the upcoming game to the facility's staff, a gesture that humbled President and CEO Bob Fox.

"Seeing Mr. Nolan walk through the door with tickets in his hand was just incredible," said Fox, a devoted hockey fan. "It was really something just to see him (Nolan) come to us, let alone with a stack of tickets. We truly appreciate all the support and we look forward to doing more to support the Amerks. We really can't thank the Amerks and Ingleside Machine Company enough."

Nolan was also greeted by Iglewski and the Center's Chairman, Andy Park, who is also a Hemophilia patient himself and die-hard hockey fan as well. Nolan was then treated to a full tour of the facility with an introduction to the very atypical blood disorder. Hemophilia is a medical condition that is centered on the body's inability to control blood clotting or coagulation. Founded in 1959 by Mary M. Gooley with the help of the Rochester Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center of Rochester has been serving people who suffer from bleeding and blood-related disorders for over 50 years. The Center was one of the first chartered NHF chapters, and the first free-standing comprehensive care clinic in the nation. The Center cares for families with bleeding disorders in the 14-county region around Rochester, NY.

The Mary M. Gooley center is a non-profit medical clinic that specializes in serving patients with rare blood conditions, including Hemophilia, Von Willibrand Disease and Hemochromatosis. The facility has served patients young and old for over 50 years in Greater Rochester Area. The patients face multiple, life-long complications that can include spontaneous bleeding episodes that can lead to acute pain, joint damage, as well as damage to their brain and other organs. Several patients endure regularly scheduled intravenous infusions of recombinant clotting factor to minimize life-limiting and life-threatening complications. For more information on the disorder, the Hemophilia Center and programs of treatment, please visit www.hemocenter.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS: In an effort to continue to raise awareness of the disorder, the Hemophilia Center has partnered with the Little Theatre to produce a documentary called "Bad Blood," an informational piece that chronicles the medical condition over the years with testaments from survivors. There will be a full discussion panel following the completion of the film. Those interested in attending should contact Eric Iglewski at 922-5700 or can RSVP at eric.iglewski@rochestergeneral.org. The event is scheduled for Monday, April 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the Little Theatre (240 East Ave.). On September 11th, 2011, the largest fundraiser of the year for the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center will take place. The Finger Lakes Triathlon will spread around Canandaigua Lake with all proceeds going directly to benefit patient programs and services offered year round at the Center. For more information about the Finger Lakes Triathlon, please visit http://www.fingerlakestriathlon.com/default.asp.

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