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<\/a><\/a>\nFor Schaefer \u2013 nominated at just 18 years old for the prestigious Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the National Hockey League player judged to be the most proficient in his first season \u2013 the cause is a personal one: he lost his mother to breast cancer in 2024. That experience deeply impacted Schaefer and created a desire in him to give back to others.<\/p>
\n\u201cMy mother was someone I looked up to immensely,\u201d Schaefer said. \u201cI remember sitting by her side while she was battling cancer, and she always had a smile on her face. She was full of joy. By teaming up with Northwell Health, I hope we can bring a little of her joy to others who are fighting cancer, and to their families as well.\u201d<\/p>
\nThanks to a $150,000 gift from the Islanders Children\u2019s Foundation<\/a>, Northwell and the New York Islanders will open the \u201cJennifer Schaefer Child Support Center sponsored by the Islanders Children\u2019s Foundation\u201d this October.<\/p> \n\u201cThe New York Islanders represent a deep-rooted commitment to our fans and neighbors; we operate as a community trust,\u201d said Jon Ledecky, co-owner of the New York Islanders. \u201cThe Islanders Children\u2019s Foundation is proud to support this wonderful initiative with Northwell, which bridges Matthew\u2019s incredible personal journey with our organization\u2019s dedication to family and healing. By honoring Jennifer Schaefer\u2019s memory in this way, we are ensuring that no child has to walk through these difficult moments alone, providing them with a place of comfort, play and support right when they need it most.\u201d<\/p> \nThe child life room, located at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in New Hyde Park, will provide a dedicated space for children while their parent undergoes cancer treatment. The room will feature hockey-themed elements including Islanders memorabilia and entertainment including air hockey, gaming consoles, bubble hockey and a scoreboard with customized greetings \u2014 along with inspiring messages from Schaefer to the families using the room. Importantly, the room will be staffed by a counselor and equipped with a private space where grief counseling will be available.<\/p> \n\u201cA cancer diagnosis is one of the most difficult things a person can face, but it also challenges their family in myriad ways,\u201d said John D\u2019Angelo<\/a>, MD, president and CEO of Northwell Health. \u201cCaring for families is just as important to us as caring for our patients. We are grateful to the Islanders Children\u2019s Foundation for its support to create this unique space and proud to team up with Matthew Schaefer, whose personal story and public platform will uplift our patients and community. By working together, we are sending a powerful message of resilience, unity and hope to everyone facing a cancer diagnosis.\u201d<\/p> \nSchaefer will visit the room at various times throughout the year, surprising and delighting fans and bringing joy and smiles to those going through a similar experience that he himself had.<\/p> \n\u201cMatthew Schaefer represents the strength and spirit of Long Island, and we are honored to have him join our team,\u201d said Richard Barakat<\/a>, MD, physician in chief and executive director of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute and the Edward and Carole Miller Distinguished Chair in Cancer. \u201cHis partnership transcends the ice; it's a tribute to that shared spirit of determination.\u201d<\/p> \nAbout Northwell Health<\/i><\/b><\/p> \nNorthwell is the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, serving residents of New York and Connecticut with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and over 20,000 physicians. Northwell cares for more than three million people annually in the New York metro area, including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, western Connecticut and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Northwell is New York State\u2019s largest private employer with over 106,000 employees \u2013 including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners and Nuvance Health Medical Practices \u2013 who are working to change health care for the better. Northwell, named a TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2025, is making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. Northwell is training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra\/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit <\/i>Northwell.edu<\/i><\/a> and follow us @NorthwellHealth on <\/i>Facebook<\/i><\/a>, <\/i>X<\/i><\/a>, <\/i>Instagram<\/i><\/a> and <\/i>LinkedIn<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p> \nAbout the New York Islanders<\/i><\/b><\/p> \nThe New York Islanders Hockey Club is the proud winner of four Stanley Cup Championships and record nineteen consecutive playoff series victories.<\/i><\/p> \nThe Islanders play in the National Hockey League\u2019s Eastern Conference, and have eight players, two general managers and one coach inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.<\/i><\/p> \nThe Islanders Children\u2019s Foundation has helped countless youngsters in need around the world since its inception. Donations are raised through the efforts of our players, management, and employees, along with our fans and partners.<\/i><\/p>