A tribute on the ice
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has teamed up with Northwell Health to launch a new sanctuary that blends the energy of hockey with compassionate care for children whose parents are battling cancer.
Honoring a personal loss
Matthew Schaefer’s mother, Jennifer, succumbed to breast cancer in February 2024. In her memory, he has directed his foundation’s resources toward a cause that merges his love of hockey with a mission to comfort families facing similar hardships.
A new sanctuary opens
The Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Center, funded by a $150,000 contribution from the Islanders Children’s Foundation, will open its doors this October within the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in New Hyde Park, a suburb of New York City.
Designed as a child‑life room, the space will be decorated with Islanders memorabilia, air‑hockey tables, gaming consoles and other interactive elements that aim to distract youngsters during treatment.
A dedicated counselor will be on site, providing private grief counseling and emotional support, while Schaefer himself plans to visit the room throughout the year, bringing smiles and encouragement to families.
Partnership and purpose
The initiative reflects a broader partnership between Northwell Health and the New York Islanders, combining the franchise’s community spirit with the health system’s expertise in pediatric oncology.
Richard Barakat, a physician involved in the project, says the center will serve as a model for how sports organizations can create tangible, uplifting environments for patients and their loved ones.