Beth McDermott
| Reporter assisted by AI
VIDEO: Marlborough girls soccer hosts cancer night vs. Leominster
The Marlborough girls soccer team not only wore the names of loved ones on their backs who were affected by cancer, they honored survivor Matteo Padilla.
A Concord-Carlisle High School junior got a chance to “drop the puck” during the Boston Bruins’ Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Thursday, Oct. 23.
Emma Robertson, 16, was invited by the Bruins and Mass General Brigham to perform the ceremonial puck drop before the team’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, according to a community announcement. Patients, survivors and families whose lives have been touched by cancer were all honored.
Robertson was diagnosed in April with a medulloblastoma in the cerebellum of her brain, according to the announcement. She underwent surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, then relocated to Philadelphia for eight weeks of proton radiation before returning home to continue chemotherapy at MGH.
Throughout her treatment, she has remained committed to her education through a mix of online and in-person learning, according to the announcement.
“Emma is an inspiring young person whose strength and courage have deeply touched our entire school community,” said Superintendent of School Laurie Hunter, in a statement. “We are so proud of her and so grateful that she and her family were celebrated in such a meaningful way.”
At the game, Robertson’s twin sister, Claire, joined her by the locker room tunnel as players high-fived the pair on their way to the ice. Robertson also met several Bruins players before taking her place at center ice for the ceremonial drop.
Robertson played goalie during her sophomore year at Lawrence Academy, according to the announcement. Her mother isn’t sure if she’ll return to the sport in the future, but for now, she continues her cancer fight with the same determination she showed on the ice.
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.