ANDERSON PUTS CANCER BATTLE ON ICE
Hockey Fights Cancer has special meaning this month for wife of Senators netminder
Hockey Fights Cancer has taken on a special meaning for Nicholle and Craig Anderson this November.
As the monthly campaign to support those battling the disease and their families got underway Wednesday, the NHL and NHL Players’ Association announced that Nicholle, the wife of the Ottawa Senators’ top goalie, will be front and centre as a spokesperson to help raise awareness.
Diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer last October, Nicholle will write a weekly blog for NHL.com to share stories about her battle.
After undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments at a New-York based facility and another near the couple’s home in Coral Springs, Fla., she was declared cancer free in May.
Since then, Nicholle has been getting regular checkups and Craig admires the fact his wife is willing to lend a hand to support the cause.
“She’s been one who has always stayed out of the limelight,” Craig said following a skate at the Bell Sensplex.
“When it comes to the situation that came about, she’s been very passionate about reaching out to others and sharing her story. When she’s passionate about something, she really dives in on it.”
Nicholle and 10-year-old cancer patient Ryan Mercer will drop the puck Saturday on Hockey Fights Cancer Day at the Canadian Tire Centre as the Senators take on the Vegas Golden Knights. Nicholle met Mercer at CHEO last year when she was in Ottawa visiting Craig.
A year ago, Nicholle got the devastating news she had been diagnosed with Stage 4 nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which affects the nose and the throat.
With the Senators in Vancouver at the time, Craig flew across the country to be with Nicholle near Philadelphia after she initially got the word.
Two days later in Calgary, the Senators lost backup goalie Andrew Hammond to a groin injury after the first period against the Flames. Watching on the couch with Craig, Nicholle encouraged her husband to rejoin the Senators in Edmonton because she told him “your team needs you.”
On Oct. 30 at Rogers Place, Craig had a performance that won’t soon be forgotten with a 37-save effort in a 2-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. He remained with the team before being given a leave of absence to be with Nicholle while she underwent treatment.
It was a difficult time for the Anderson family, but a year later the outlook sure looks a lot different.
“She’s been through a lot and I think she deserves some credit for battling through what she went through,” Craig said.
“I think there’s a lot of other people that have gone through it.
“Cancer touches so many lives in so many different ways. It’s good to have feel-good stories and just share people’s experiences because every cancer experience and situation is unique in its own way and everybody has to find their own way of coping with it. By being able to share those stories, you’re able to share some of your coping mechanisms and share some of those positive vibes.”
Throughout her treatments, Nicholle told her story on a blog called stickbynik.com because she wanted people to understand what she and her family were going through and let those battling the disease know that they weren’t alone in the fight.
“When cancer strikes, your life flashes in front of you like a time warp remembering all the good times in your life,” Nicholle wrote on NHL.com on Wednesday. “Then you look at your family, and think of how many more memories you want to create. Now your time is so limited. You realize that every day is valuable. Each minute counts.
“It is funny how the bigger picture presents itself to focus on more of the significant things in life and eliminate those that are not significant.”
The winner last June of the Masterton Trophy for sportsmanship, perseverance and dedication to hockey, Craig is proud of the way Nicholle has told and continues to tell her story.
“If you feel confident and comfortable enough, you have an outlet to share your experiences and allow people to get a glimpse of what you went through and what your experiences are. I think it’s great,” Craig said.
“She’s very strong and passionate about it. She really wants to give back. She taught school for many years and gave back to the kids and she was very passionate about that, so finding something to drive for and strive for every day gives her a purpose to give back to the community. She’s been through a lot.”
Looking back now, Craig called the experience “life altering.”
“You learn from those experiences. She had fears and different emotions and there’s no doubt every single person that gets diagnosed goes through the same emotions,” said Craig. “Sharing stories allows you to know that you’re not alone in the fight.
“I realize now when you go around the room and you talk to different guys, whether it’s grandparents or parents, so many people are touched by cancer that sometimes it’s not talked about because it’s sensitive. At the same time, it can be used to educate people and influence positive behaviours and positive thoughts to know there is good on the other side of the fence.”