Jon Ledecky and Sparky Surprise Families Ahead of Game Four

"You're fighting as hard as the team."
That was Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky's message to the five local families he visited on Saturday, all with a child batting cancer, gifting playoff tickets to Sunday's Game Four matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes at UBS Arena.
"My brain can't compute this!" was the first thing 11-year-old Vincent Cusumano could exclaim after finding out he was going to Game Four on Sunday, trying on his customized Islanders jersey with his last name on the back.

It's been a long road for Cusumano, who is battling through aggressive kidney cancer, enduring 31 weeks of treatment with four to go. His father couldn't be prouder of his tenacity.
"A child should usually want to grow up to be like their dad, but I want to grow up and be like my son," Cusumano's father said. "He's incredible, and I'm not just saying that because he's mine."

The father-son duo was in attendance for Game Three on Friday night, where the 11-year-old fighter was beaming with excitement and savoring what he thought would be his last trip to UBS Arena this season.
"It was fun to share that with him," Cusumano said. "There hasn't been much fun in the past six months. When we do get to have that, we cherish it."
Cusumano watched his son burst with joy at the sight of new playoff gear to root for his favorite team.
"It feels great to just get away from it for a while," Vincent said. "To just put everything to the side and then just focus on trying to be normal."
"What's amazing to me has been how inspirational the children are," Ledecky said. "They're articulate and focused, there's no pity. They want to move on with their lives, they want to get better."
According to Cusumano, the reprieve to cheer for the Isles is priceless.
"As my son said, just the opportunity to step away from cancer and just not worry or think about it," Cusumano said. "To think about being normal and enjoying friends and family, cheering and laughing. That's life. The other stuff is tough, but we push through."
Sports are an outlet for many families going through the difficult road of heavy diagnoses and lengthy treatment plans. A lively passion for hockey invites positivity and hope during a dark time.

Alessia Serie relied on watching Islanders games from her hospital bed during multiple week-long stays in March and April. Her family is grateful to now have her home after she was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of 12.
Her love of the game drove her to have a reason to smile every day. Watching the Islanders alongside a rotation of visiting family members and friends cheered her up, while her nurses took care of her health, joining in to watch the Islanders as well.
"Watching the Islanders really took her mind off things," her father, Paul Serie, said. "She's a fighter. She'll battle through this and make it."
Alessia lost mobility to walk after the induction phase of chemo and will undergo treatment for the next six months. While she can't attend Sunday's game, she received an open invitation from Ledecky to visit UBS Arena for a game when she's able.
"These families are so strong, and the kids are even stronger," Ledecky said. "Their love for the Islanders is propelling them and distracting them to get stronger and better. The fact that some of them can come to the game and be with their families tomorrow is so meaningful, and those that can't make it are going to be there in spirit."
Family values are vital during tough times to power the will to never give up, which is especially the case for Cooper Graham, a 15-month-old toddler fighting retinoblastoma for the past year.
"He wakes up every day with a smile," Rachel Graham said of her son. "He radiates positivity and strength. It helps us get through as a family. He's our superhero."
The family of six watches Islanders together and shares a passion for the team. Rachel and her husband Mike grew up as die-hard Islanders fans and ingrained their passion for hockey into the fabric of their family. The couple is excited for their first full family trip to UBS Arena for Game Four.
"For kids who are struggling and trying to get strong, UBS Arena is a wonderful environment because it's a family," Ledecky said. "The Islanders are a family and tomorrow is a day game, what a great environment that will be for families."
The whole Oceanside fire department is rallying behind Graham family as a support system, where Mike serves as a local fireman.
"They're our second family," Rachel Graham said. "They really supported us in the past year, we couldn't have done it without them. They've been there every step of the way with us and anything we needed for Cooper."
Members of the department couldn't miss the unforgettable moment, standing alongside the Graham family, who were presented with tickets to Game Four, a small jersey with his name on the back and additional Isles playoff gear.
The toddler smiled and giggled in his mother's arms, surrounded by his family, his father's colleagues at the fire department, Ledecky and Sparky, all chanting his name on Saturday morning.
These resilient children inspire the adults around them with their attitude to battling illness. Jordan Scheinkopf, a 10-year-old undergoing cancer treatment, is the source of strength for his parents.
"He's a fighter," his mom, Marlene Scheinkopf, said. "He hasn't once complained about being in the hospital all that time, taking medicine or anything. He's a very strong kid."
Jordan was already wearing his favorite Mathew Barzal jersey, but he was gifted with a jersey with his own name on it. The scene of blue and orange balloons, Sparky and Ledecky's presentation of his favorite player's autograph and tickets to Game Four was enough to move his father Kevin to tears.
"We have a long road but he's going to get better." Scheinkopf said. "He's a trouper."

Another stop was a special surprise for 17-year-old Kate O'Halloran, a senior at JFK high school who was diagnosed with Pleuropulmonary blastoma in November 2022. She undergoes chemotherapy treatment five days a week.
"To see her positivity and drive to keep moving forward is special," her mother, Mary Kay O'Halloran said. "Kate is a story of inspiration and we're going to kick cancer to the curb."
Kate's friends and family - who are all die-hard Islanders fans - gathered in the backyard with anticipation of seeing her reaction to the surprise.
With the support of family, the Islanders organization and the love of hockey, these resilient families can make a comeback to see brighter days.
"Scott Malkin, Dewey Shay and I are stewards of this great franchise," Ledecky said. "To be able to bring the joy of tickets and signed autographs of their favorite players and for Sparky to play with all the young kids, what a great thing to be able to do."