Even though the hockey season has ended, New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer is continuing to make a difference off the ice.
On Wednesday, Schaefer joined the New York Islanders at Northwell Health’s R.J. Zuckerberg Hospital in New Hyde Park to announce the opening of a new child support center for families facing cancer treatment.
The center will provide a welcoming space for children whose parents or guardians are undergoing treatment, giving families extra support during appointments and hospital visits.
The facility will be named in honor of Schaefer’s late mother, Jennifer, who passed away from breast cancer two years ago.
“It’s going to be super fun,” Schaefer said. “This is very close to my heart, being able to do something like this for my mom and especially everyone battling cancer.”
The project is being funded through a $150,000 donation from the New York Islanders Children’s Foundation.
The child support center is expected to open in October.