Parkland resident Ryan Fellman. {courtesy}
By Ryan Yousefi
A local hockey player is taking to the ice this holiday season to support a charitable cause.
Parkland resident Ryan Fellman is gearing up to hit the ice at the Florida Panthers IceDen on December 17 for the Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society (RCCS) hockey tournament. This annual event brings together players from across Florida to help raise funds for Jewish children battling cancer.
“The impact that RCCS has not only on the local community but nationally is incredible,” Fellman shared with Parkland Talk. “Last year alone, between all the tournaments held, RCCS raised over $4 million to benefit Jewish children with cancer.”
Fellman, now 29 years old, has played hockey since he was six. A former defenseman turned center, he played for the Florida Jr. Panthers, Cypress Bay High School, and the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 2013.
Fellman organizes a local adult hockey league and gets involved when approached by the league’s management. He was introduced to Yisroel Merkin, the Director of Organizational Advancement with RCCS, and was immediately inspired to join the cause.
“I gathered a couple of my friends that I knew would be interested and signed up without a second thought,” Fellman said. “When we showed up for the introductory skate, I was surprised at how many South Florida mutual friends I had at the tournament, which was incredible.”
The tournament, part of RCCS’s nationwide initiative, aims to support cancer patients and their families by providing various services, including medical referrals, health insurance premium grants, and medical subsidies. These services enable patients to access the best possible medical care, including consultations with global oncologists and leaders in the field.
Fellman shared a personal connection to the cause through a teammate in his men’s league, whose sister has been receiving assistance from RCCS in her cancer treatment.
“I knew then I wanted to step up and raise as many funds as possible,” Fellman said.
The Florida tournament has already seen remarkable success, with over $300,000 raised. Fellman emphasized that the funds will directly benefit local families in need.
“All money raised from this tournament will go directly to help pay for the local Florida budget, as well as the salaries for the case managers helping these patients navigate the medical system and support them throughout the process,” Fellman explained.
With the tournament already covering its costs, Fellman encourages further donations, assuring potential contributors that every dollar will benefit hundreds of Jewish children and families in desperate need of support.
Donations can be made to the cause through Ryan Fellman’s player page at http://www.rayze.it/rccsflorida/ryanmf.
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Author Profile
- Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.
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