The final tally of injuries from the world’s longest hockey game is staggering: A half-dozen broken or lost teeth, two severe cases of pneumonia, a dislocated shoulder, a shattered foot, and one possible heart attack.
But after 10-and-a-half days on the ice, the only number that meant anything to Alex Halat was the $1.5 million that the team captain hoped to raise for the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
“Sometime between the end of the game Wednesday and Thursday morning, we broke $1.5 million,” said a hoarse-voiced Halat Thursday afternoon.
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“I feel like I was hit by a truck, but at the same time, I feel good.”
The buzzer may have sounded on the Chestermere hockey marathon at 6 p.m. Wednesday, but donations continue to pour in for the Guinness World Record setting event benefiting the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Foundation director Liz Ballendine said the funds raised will help the most critically ill children that the hospital cares for.
“The money is going to be split between pediatric cancer research and equipment for our pediatric intensive care unit,” said Ballendine.
“I think it was not only a huge success in terms of raising money, but it also shone a light on the way we rely on the community to make our Children’s Hospital outstanding.”
Halat said the experience has opened his eyes to the suffering endured by the families of cancer-stricken children.
“This experience has taught all of us, not to take life for granted. We’re so fortunate that our children and families are healthy, because that could change in an instant.”
Donations can still be made to the Oilympics Hockey Marathon through the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation website: www.childrenshospital.ab.ca.
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