Welcome to the Westchester Warriors 2021 Spring/Summer season – where we do things “The Warriors Way.” We are excited to announce that this year we have expanded to twelve teams, ranging from birthyear 2013 at the youngest to our oldest group at birthyear 2004. We take great pride in having grown from one team of 15 players in 2015, to 12 teams comprised of more than 140 players in 2021. While we envisioned a ripple effect as we undertook this novel, charitable approach to Spring/Summer hockey, we are humbled by the extent to which so many great families have signed on to help others. Together, we combine our love of hockey with a strong desire to make a difference in our community. We are thankful for all of our Westchester Warrior hockey families and supporters . . . you are making a difference. To date, we have raised over $350,000, including over $60,000 already in 2021.
As we enter our sixth season as the Westchester Warriors, we introduce our slogan “Play like a Warrior,” which embraces two of our long-time mantras where we ask each Warrior player and family to ask themselves “What’s in Me for You” and to always understand that “We Fight For You.” The goal of our Warriors program is, and has always been, to use our love of hockey to help others.
Our chosen charitable focus is Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a world renown pediatric hospital located in Valhalla, NY that treats children from around the world who suffer from the most severe pediatric diseases. While we assist the hospital generally, we have a very special focus on the pediatric oncology group. This year, our funds are earmarked to support the Cellular and Tissue Engineering Laboratory (CTEL) at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital – a state-of-the-art medical laboratory that is run by Dr. Mitchel Cairo that specializes in tailored cellular, gene and regenerative therapy for pediatric cancer and blood disorder patients. CTEL consists of over 40 scientists who, under Dr. Cairo’s guidance, seek to provide a la carte therapy, specialized for the patient that puts the patient first and leaves no stone unturned: promising the best long-term health of the patient. Advancements achieved in the CTEL are currently used to treat a number of pediatric diseases, such as acute and chronic leukemias, lymphomas, brain tumors, solid tumors (neuroblastoma, sarcomas, Wilms Tumor, hepatic and germ cell tumors), hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell disease and thalassemia), bone marrow failure syndromes (aplastic anemia and Fanconi anemia), immunodeficiencies (SCID and CGD), bleeding and clotting disorders (hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, idopathic thrombocytopenia etc.) and lymphohistiocytic disorders. Please click on the links below to enjoy a video presentation regarding Dr. Cairo and his work at Maria Fareri and within CTEL, and to review a brochure that provides details on the Blood Disease Center at Maria Fareri.
Video of Dr. Michael Gewitz speaking to Dr. Cairo’s work attracting patients who can find these treatments nowhere else.
Childhood and Adolescent Cancer and Blood Diseases Center Pamphlet
Below are a few highlights about our Westchester Warriors Hockey Program:
- 100% of all donated funds go directly to the charity without reduction of any kind;
- Our board members, team coaches and team managers are all volunteers, providing 100% of their time, energy and commitment free of charge;
- The only costs paid by our players/families are each player’s portion of his/her team’s tournament entry fees, ice costs for practices/clinics, and the cost of the Warriors jerseys, shell and socks;
- Each team targets 4 tournaments, some local and some away. Each team sets its own schedule, to ensure that scheduling works for the particular team; and
- The Charitable Commitment: Each family (player and parents) commit to a minimum raise of $500. Together, we make a difference.
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