A Sibling’s Inspiration
Jack Leandro, a nine‑year‑old from Acushnet, Massachusetts, has been skating on the local rinks since he could walk. His love of the game quickly became a personal mission when his younger sister Sydney was diagnosed with B‑Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of five.
Inspired by the care Sydney received, Jack created a fundraiser called “Pucks for Bucks,” pledging to donate a dollar for every puck he shot. Over a two‑week period he launched more than 10,027 shots, ultimately surpassing his goal of raising $10,000.
The money was directed to A Wish Come True, Inc., the organization that had previously granted Sydney’s own wish. The nonprofit, headquartered in the United States, uses such contributions to fulfill wishes for children facing serious medical conditions.
Sydney’s treatment has been successful; she has been cancer‑free for more than four years and is now enjoying a return to a normal childhood. Her parents, including mother Lyndsey Leandro, have expressed deep gratitude for the community’s support and for the chance to see their daughter thrive.
The story highlights how a simple idea — combining a love of hockey with a charitable pledge — can generate meaningful resources for pediatric health causes, and it underscores the power of family resilience in the face of illness.