CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Coach Rosie Loses Locks on Ice

October 24, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - October 18, 2006 - Drew Maxey sings in his church's choir. He makes friends easily. And he loves macaroni and cheese - all normal, everyday aspects of the life of a six-year-old child.

But Drew's life has been far from normal so far. In August of 2004, two weeks before his fourth birthday, Drew was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells. What started out as a routine doctor visit to check on Drew's hurting elbow ended up with a spinal fluid test indicating cancerous cells.

Surgery was not new to Drew and his mother Jenny Haynes, who have always lived in the Hernando area. Drew was born with Down Syndrome and had surgery at eight months of age to repair an Atrioventricular Septal Defect. While he was given a 50-50 survival rate, Drew beat the odds after one month of heart medications and a pace maker.

During most of his young life, Drew was home schooled, but he now has 23 new friends in his kindergarten class at Hernando Elementary School.

Enter Rosemary Thorell, physical education teacher at Hernando Elementary

"Drew just stole my heart," said Coach Rosie, as she is known throughout the school's hallways. "Drew blesses us with joy each day, so I began to think about how we could give joy back to his family."

Rosie knew she could help raise money, knew she was already growing her hair to donate to Locks of Love, and knew the Memphis RiverKings could help do something special for Drew.

Since Drew has gone to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital every Tuesday for the past two years to receive treatment and various therapies, Rosie and her friends at Hernando Elementary School decided to organize a Loose Change Fund Drive to support St. Jude in honor of Drew.

Over $3,600 for St. Jude was raised, and the grand finale will be Friday, October 27, when Rebecca Mayo, the teacher of the class who raised the most money and coincidentally Drew's teacher, will have the honor of cutting Rosie's hair center ice at the Memphis RiverKings' game against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. Rosie's hair will be donated to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

"Just like hockey players battle it out on the ice, Rosie is waging her own crusade - to bring attention to the special needs of cancer patients," said Gene Szucs, marketing manager of the Memphis RiverKings. "The RiverKings feel that this is a very visual way for us to show the spirit of how one person can take ownership of a cause and use our events as a vehicle to spread awareness and generate understanding and generosity for a cause dear to their heart."

To promote donations to Locks of Love, Rococo Salon in Southaven has agreed to cut hair during the game to donate to Locks of Love.

"Being involved in the community is important to us, and being able to cut hair during a live hockey game is an added bonus," said Marion Chapman, owner of Rococo Salon.

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ADD TWO - RIVERKINGS

Anyone donating their locks will be admitted to the RiverKings' October 27 game free of charge. Rosie has already had commitments from six students.

"The Memphis RiverKings are very excited to provide the venue for the loss of 10 inches off Rosie's hair, and we are also honoring Drew by featuring the Memphis Branch of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as the Non-Profit of the Night," Szucs said.

With 66 chapters nationwide, the Society's mission is: cure leukemia, lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The Society, which is part of the Tennessee chapter, will set up a table at the RiverKings' game to promote The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, the world's largest endurance sports training program. The program provides training to run or walk a whole or half marathon or participate in a triathlon or century (100-mile) bike ride.

Drew has been in remission since his first month of treatment, and, interestingly enough, his elbow stopped hurting after his first chemotherapy treatment. He only has one year of chemo remaining, which should be completed by October 2007.

He'll be at the Memphis RiverKings' game next Friday, hoping for a win against the Mudbugs. The doors open at 6 p.m., and anyone interested in donating hair should RSVP to the RiverKings office at 662-342-1755 for information and complimentary tickets. Non-profits who are interested in selling RiverKings game tickets and keeping a large portion of the proceeds for themselves should also call 662-342-1755.

"We are so grateful for this opportunity," Jenny said. "To be a part of this night is so exciting for Drew."



Central Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2006


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