Donor drive to be held in Tynan’s honour
IceDogs goaltender needed blood following life-threatening injury
The Niagara IceDogs are looking for people to score a game-winner off the ice by giving the gift of life.
The IceDogs, whose rookie goaltender Tucker Tynan needed five units of blood after suffering a life-threatening injury in a goalmouth collision, are hosting a blood drive in his honour Tuesday, Jan. 28. Donations will be accepted from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Catharines Blood Donor Clinic, 395-397 Ontario St.
“The Niagara IceDogs are thankful to our region’s blood donors, who helped to save Tucker’s life,” Bill Burke, the owner of the Ontario Hockey League team, said. “We’ve all seen the advertisements explaining the need for more blood, but, when someone you know and care about is in need, it hits closer to home.
“We are hoping this blood drive, in honour of Tucker, will help many others in our community who need or will need blood in the future.”
The IceDogs said in a news release people who donate blood on Jan. 28 get a $2 ticket voucher to any upcoming home game.
Tynan was badly injured in a home game against the London Knights on Dec. 12. Quick work by medical and training staff from both teams is credited in saving the 17-year-old’s life after a massive blood loss when an opposing player’s skate cut the thigh muscle in his right leg to the bone.
He underwent emergency surgery at St. Catharines hospital immediately after the game, which was postponed 43 seconds into the second period.
Since returning home to Chicago, Tynan underwent successful surgery on Jan. 9 that ensured his muscle was reattaching.
The team expects him to return to Niagara within six to eight weeks to begin rehabilitation on the way to making a full recovery.
Canadian Blood Services estimates more than half of Canadians will either need or will know someone who will require blood in their lifetime.
The standard donation is about 450 millilitres, which is less than half a litre or approximately two cups. As the body of an average adult has about five litres of blood, this is a small portion of blood in the donor’s body.
From start to finish, the donation process takes a little more than an hour.
Information on eligibility requirements and booking an appointment to donate is available online at blood.ca/en.