Capacity crowd turns out for hockey game in support of Lindsey Gossell

By: Liz Dadson March 29, 2015 1547

Capacity crowd turns out for hockey game in support of Lindsey Gossell

A capacity crowd filled the Tiverton Sports Complex Saturday night, in support of Lindsey Gossell.

The 19-year-old daughter of Danny and Elaine Gossell of Tiverton, had just completed her first semester of the personal support worker program at Lambton College in Sarnia last fall, when she was diagnosed with a Wilms' tumour on her kidney. The condition is usually found in children, and is rare in adults.

She underwent surgery Feb. 5 to remove the tumour, and started radiation and chemotherapy treatments March 2. The chemotherapy will continue now through September.

A former player with the Tiverton Thunder girls hockey team, Lindsey was overwhelmed by the huge crowd that attended the charity hockey game in her honour. “It's great to see everybody here,” she said.

Surrounded by family and friends, including her sister, Danielle, who flew from the West for the occasion, Lindsey was all smiles as she, Danielle and their sister, Sara, dropped the puck for the start of the game between the Tiverton Panters and the Tiverton Fire Department. Danny Gossell used to play for the Panters, and was a firefighter with the Tiverton station.

Besides the hockey game, the event featured a silent auction with a huge assortment of items for people to bid on, Chuck-the-Puck during the second intermission, and chili-and-a-bun to feed the hungry crowd.

During the first intermission, Mark “Tank” Farquhar sat in a chair beside the time-keeper's box and gave up his hair, his beard and his moustache, raising more than $2,500 for the cause. Lindsey assisted hairstylist April Catto with the clipping. “Tank” has had the beard and moustache for more than 25 years.

Lindsey continues with treatments in London and Owen Sound. All proceeds from the charity hockey game will go to assist the family with expenses.