The hockey community around the world is coming through with support for a 13-year-old local hockey player whose family says is currently paralyzed due to a blood clot.
Noah Dugas played hockey last season with the North Bay U13 AAA Trappers hockey team. His cousin Megan Odd, has gone to social media to garner support for Noah and social media locally has been flooded with #NoahStrong posts.
"Noah has been going through unthinkable health problems over the last few months," Meagan stated via social media earlier this week.
"Back in March, he began having blackouts that were progressively getting worse. He was admitted to Sick Kids Hospital where he began losing mobility in his arms and legs, and it was discovered he has an inoperable (from what we know) blood clot on his brain.
"He was put into an induced coma to prevent further damage and to undergo more testing. He has now been brought out of his coma, but still has little to no mobility in his arms and legs, and is currently communicating by spelling with his eyes on a machine."
Odd says Noah has been moved from Sick Kids to Bloorview Rehab Centre in hopes of making more progress.
To help brighten the spirits of Noah and his family Odd reached out to the hockey world and the hockey world answered.
"My dad and I were trying to think of ways to lift Noah's and the Dugas family spirits while going through this difficult time. He suggested reaching out to the hockey community to boost everyone's spirits."
Country star Cory Marks added his voice, and Noah got a shoutout from the hosts of Hockey Night in Canada Saturday night during the first game of the Stanley Cup final.
And support for Noah has been received by some of the most high profile hockey personalities including Doug Gilmour, Auston Matthews, Don Cherry, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Sudbury's Nick Foligno to name just a few.
Praying for you Noah! One thing I know about hockey players and especially ones from Northern Ontario is... THEY. ARE. REALLY. TOUGH! I’m cheering you on and sending you positive vibes buddy! I know you will work hard during your rehab! Keep pushing and NEVER give up! 🙏💪
— Nick Foligno (@NickFoligno) September 18, 2020
The hockey world is behind you, Noah! Sidney Crosby always says we focus on one game at a time and just keep trying to get better every day. We hope you can keep that same outlook for each new day of your rehab. You are in our thoughts. 💛
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 19, 2020
Hey Noah, best of luck. Keep'er going. Lets see you on the ice sometime soon. 👍
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerDC) September 19, 2020
You got this Noah!
— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) September 18, 2020
All I’m asking is a simple RETWEET. If you see this, please help spread love and strength for this young man and his family right now.
— Cory Marks (@corymarksmusic) September 19, 2020
#NoahStrong 🏒 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/0IIxVPt6on
Family supporters are also working on creating a GoFundme page as well.
A Facebook page called Noah Strong was created Saturday morning and organizers are asking anyone who wants to donate can send E-transfers to 𝙣𝙤𝙖𝙝𝙙𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜@𝙜𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙡.𝙘𝙤𝙢.
