Cullen for Kids nets $3655
Published on April 20, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
Houston, TX â Houston Aeros center Mark Cullen helped raise $3,655 for the Sunshine Kids Foundation in the final six weeks of the season, when he totaled three goals and 15 assists. Cullen, named Houston's American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year last month, received $1,050 from an original anonymous donor, a total that was matched by the players of the Minnesota Wild. The remainder of the donation comes from Aeros fans touched by Cullen's story. The original donor gave $100 per Cullen goal and $50 per assist to the organization, which provides positive group activities and emotional support for children who are diagnosed with cancer.
The 25-year-old Cullen, who just finished his second pro season, has overcome a series of obstacles to be where he is today. A two-time All American at Colorado College, Cullen bounced back from a broken neck injury during his junior season. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Cullen also broke an ankle during last season's Calder Cup Playoff run, and was diagnosed with malignant melanoma during training camp with Minnesota. He missed the season's first three games while recovering from the surgery and treatment, and after just more than a month back, Cullen missed 22 games due to a badly separated shoulder.
The Sunshine Kids Foundation's mission is "to give these incredibly gutsy kids a chance to forget about hospitals for a while and just have fun!" There are approximately 40,000 children in hospitals across the country who are undergoing painful, isolating cancer treatments.
"We are honored by the generosity of Cullen for Kids and by Mark's support of the Sunshine Kids," said Peggy Roads, development director. "It means all the more to us and to our Kids, knowing that Mark understands how it feels to undergo painful cancer treatments. His courage, commitment, and generosity are a true inspiration to the Kids."
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