AMHERST, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Sabres teamed up with Courage of Carly on Monday to give kids battling cancer a special night.
"Tonight's a really special night because it allows our patients and their siblings who are going through difficult times to have a fun night out," Megan Crawford, program coordinator for Courage of Carly said. "We have a bunch of our kids from Roswell Park that are either going through active oncology therapy, just recently finished their oncology therapy or some of our blood disorder kiddos like our sickle cell kids are out here tonight to play laser tag with the Sabres."
Courage of Carly has been around for about 25 years serving patients.
"We offer diversionary and psycho-social programming for patients, their siblings and their entire family," Crawford said.
Buffalo Sabres forwards Jack Quinn, Ryan Mcleod and defenseman Dennis Gilbert showed up for the fun.
"You don't get an opportunity like this every day so it's pretty cool to come and give back to the community," Mcleod said.
The event allowed the kids to be kids, during a time when things can be overwhelming.
"We're here to hang out with some Sabres players and to have some fun and to get our minds off of our cancer world that we were thrown into at such a young age," Sophia Baudo said.
Baudo is 18 and was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin's Lymphoma in January.
"I went through 12 rounds of intense chemotherapy. It was super hard. I couldn't be around my friends all that much. I was bedridden. I was just always sick, so getting to be on the other side now and being able to hang out with all of my friends, is so much fun now," Baudo added.
Her positivity shined through Monday night, as she set forth to play laser tag for the very first time.
"For all those going through the same battle, just keep your head up. Put one foot in front of the other. It will get better. I promise you that," Baudo said.
One of her friends also attended the event to show support.
"I am very excited to be here surrounded by other warriors like my friend Sophia and be here to support them," Tessa Procopio said.
