Former NHL stars Mats Sundin, left, and Tie Domi, far right, stand with Scott McKay, centre, at the Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer event. (Photo: The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation)Scott McKay, 41, is using hockey to fight cancer in the way he knows best.
In 2012, McKay was diagnosed with myeloma. The shocked father of two never imagined that cancer would affect him so directly.
With little time to digest the news, McKay was sent to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for treatment from Canada’s largest and most comprehensive cancer program.
Although he endured a complicated stem cell transplant and several radiation therapy sessions, McKay began to appreciate the hardworking staff and top quality care they were providing him.
“Hearing the words, ‘You have cancer,’ was an incredible shock,” McKay said. “But I have to say, the treatment and care I’ve been getting at The Princess Margaret has been outstanding, and with them, I’m facing this diagnosis head on.”
Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer
Wanting to give back, McKay partnered with Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer, an annual fundraising hockey event benefiting The Princess Margaret.
This year’s event was held on Sept. 28 and raised $2.3 million for the new gold standard in cancer care, Personalized Cancer Medicine.
For over a decade, McKay led an exciting career working as an equipment manager in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
In a Canadian dream come true, at one time, the Leafs actually signed McKay to a one-day amateur contract, allowing McKay to serve as an emergency replacement in case a situation presented itself on the ice.
Through countless training days and edge-of-your-seat hockey nights, McKay built lasting relationships with now-retired hockey stars like Gary Roberts and Tie Domi.
Former Leafs help cause
The former Leafs, along with several others, joined McKay at the event in a show of support for their friend and for the cause.
Given McKay’s impact, it wasn’t a surprise that his NHL friends agreed to partner with him to battle cancer through Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer.
McKay served as an Honorary Chair of the event, and spoke at opening ceremonies.
“Cancer touches everyone in one way or another, so when I called some of the boys from my days with the Leafs to see if they would support me through this event, all of the, without hesitation, agreed to join us here today to help us conquer cancer.”
Scott McKay, Tie Domi and more than 60 other celebrities all participated in the 3rd annual RHCC tournament. More than 1,300 participants played from dawn-to-dusk in support of The Princess Margaret.
