USF Ice Bulls Host Tournament to Benefit Pediatric Cancer Related Charities
TAMPA – The University of South Florida Ice Bulls will host the first annual Madison Goss and Friends Pediatric Cancer Awareness Tournament this weekend at the Ellenton Ice and Sports complex in Ellenton, Fla. The tournament will feature eight American Collegiate Hockey Association teams, and also serve as a fundraiser for the medical trusts of Madison Goss and Drew Kruszynski, as well as CureSearch, a national organization that funds pediatric cancer research and provides support for families faced with childhood cancer. Madison is a three-year-old from Atlanta battling liver cancer. She recently underwent a liver transplant. The Ice Bulls became involved with the Goss family last season when Colleen Hennessey, the team’s general manager, connected with Madison’s uncle through Facebook. The Ice Bulls met Drew’s family through the Gosses. Drew is also three and battles Neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer that attacks the nervous system. Drew and his family must travel frequently to New York City for treatment. Both children have medical trusts set up to help offset the staggering costs of their treatment. The Ice Bulls will donate all proceeds from the tournament to these funds. The Goss family will travel to Tampa to participate in the tournament and enjoy a much needed vacation. The team will provide Madison and her family with food and lodging. Mote Marine donated five passes to the aquarium so Madison and her two brothers, “can see the fishies.” The tournament is set up in a two-bracket format with the top team from each bracket competing in the championship game on Sunday morning. The eight teams competing are: the University of California, Davis, the University of Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic University, Life University (Atlanta), the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LSU, USF and Tulane. The tournament has already generated strong community support and corporate sponsorship. For more information including the schedule, visit the tournament Website at: www.usfhockeytournament.com For more information on pediatric cancer visit CureSearch at: www.curesearch.org Editor's note: This will be one of the last collegiate hockey tournaments that USF Senior and former Island Estates resident Kyle Baran will participate in. Why not take a pleasant ride to Ellenton this weekend, enjoy what promises to be a very competitive and entertaining hockey tournament, support a good cause, and cheer for your former neighbor? The Ellenton Ice & Sports complex is located at 5309 29th St E, Ellenton, FL 34222, (941) 723-3663. Visit www.ellentonice.com for more information.
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