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A Real Canadian Hockey Hero

Wed Nov 13, 2002
Written by Mike Aylward
Photo by James Mirabelli

Wayne Gretzky, Rocket Richard, and Hayley Wickenheiser; three great Canadian hockey heroes. I would like to add one more name to that list; Andrew Mizzoni. Andrew is a goaltender for the Vaughan Rangers Minor Peeweeteam in Toronto, a team in the Greater Toronto Minor Hockey League (GTHL). Andrew is a normal 11 year old who loves to play hockey and whose heroes are Curtis "Cujo" Joseph and Vince Carter. Andrew has a life-sized cardboard cut-out figure of his hero Cujo in his bedroom. But, Andrew is a hero in his own right. Andrew has cancer, and Andrew is fighting his illness with all the courage, optimism, and heart of a real hero.

In March of 2001, his father Len Mizzoni noticed swelling under his left eye. At first, they weren't too concerned, the family doctor saying it was probably a virus or infection, but the swelling increased and a biopsy and CT scan were done. The verdict: Andrew was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma, a highly aggressive malignant form of children's cancer in his left eye orbit. Andrew was diagnosed with the Embryonal form of Rhabdomyosarcoma, the less "sinister" form, and learned that this type of cancer was curable.

Andrew then went through gruelling chemotherapy and radiation treatments and yet still kept playing goal, not missing a game or a practice for his team. His father calls Andrew a mature, postive, and appreciative boy who never complains about his situation, an inspiration to family, friends, and all he comes in contact with. The little "bald" goalie became a familiar site at hockey arenas around Toronto. His family started the Andrew Mizzoni Cancer Research Fund, whose goal is to help all kids afflicted with cancer, in affiliation with the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto (HSC).300 new cases of cancer are diagnosed at the HSC every year. 90 of these children will die.

Average people, sports celebrities, and politicians alikerallied around this brave young netminder. Curtis Joseph, Vince Carter, Michael "Pin Ball" Clemons, Steve Thomas, Maple Leaf great Johnny Bower, Don Cherry and Roger Neilson gave him their support. He has also recieved the support of the Prime Minister and Sports Canada. Andrew's story of perseverence and courage has been told in local Toronto newspapers and magazines. He has been nominated for the Red Lobster Kids Perseverence Award and the OMHA (Ontario Minor Hockey Association) featured him in an issue of Hometown Hockey Heroes. Andrew was featured in the June 2002 HSC Telethon.

During Christmas 2001, Andrew's cancer went into remission, a wonderful holiday present. A dinner-dance was held last month and the first Andrew Mizzoni Charity Golf Classic was held in July in Toronto to help Andrew's fund raise money for cancer research. With the support of family, friends, teammates, "skateathons" run by other teams in the GTHL, and celebrities, the Andrew Mizzoni Cancer Research Fund has raised over 65,000 dollars in just 9 months.

Sadly, Andrew's cancer returned in May of 2002, but the plucky goalie continues his courageous battle. Andrew will undergo an exenteration surgery this Tuesday, Nov. 19th performed by HSC surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Hurwitz. The operation will include the removal of his left eye and all the tissue in his orbit.

His father Len said that Andrew took the news in stride. "Andrew accepted this news with a maturity beyond his years. This will only delay his return to the net, I know we will see him on the ice again this season. Thank you to everyone who has visited Andrew's website , your support has been timely and overwhelming. Please continue to pray for our "little" goalie."

Andrew will be playing in goal this Saturday and Sunday for his team. Saturday night, Andrew will be a guest of the Toronto Maple Leafs, getting a