ResourcesGateway Grad Uses Ice to Raise Funds for Hospital
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2006 Gateway High School graduate April Govednik used her passion for hockey recently to raise money for those who helped save her life as an infant.
Govednik was only 8 weeks old when doctors at the Aurora South Medical Center treated her for spinal meningitis, a potentially fatal disease that can also cause deafness, blindness, paralysis and learning disabilities. The doctors at Aurora South Medical Center, especially Dr. Stan Rosenberg, helped her survive the disease. Dr. Rosenberg then referred her to the Children’s Hospital of Denver, who tested Govednik to ensure there were no long-lasting effects from the infection.
Now, as a freshman at Chatham University in Pennsylvania and member of their varsity women’s hockey team, Govednik has found a way to give back to these doctors and hospitals by playing her favorite sport. Through a program called “24 Hours of Hockey,” Govednik played a non-stop, two-day hockey game for charity on May 19 in Denver. Govednik competed with more than 40 other college, adult league, semi-professional and professional hockey players at the event, including the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Joel Kwiatkowski.
“The game was a ton of fun and a great way to give back to those who helped me. Playing college hockey is very serious, but playing for charity was very laid back and fun, and I am so glad it is going to a good cause.”
- April Govednik
Gateway H.S. graduate and “24 Hours of Hockey” fundraiser participant
Govednik raised more than $500 for the Children’s Hospital from the hockey marathon.
“Without a doubt in my mind, I’ll be playing next year and will try to raise even more money for the Children’s Hospital,” added Govednik.
Photos credit: Hector Acevedo of Denver News Images
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