Since the Philadelphia Flyers announced last week that their star forward Oskar Lindblom had been diagnosed with a rare cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma, there has been a massive outpouring of support for the 23-year-old player.
The Flyers and their fans created the hashtag #OskarStrong and it’s been used by hockey fans and supporters across the country. Some fans are even rallying to get Lindblom voted in as captain for next year’s Metropolitan Division All-Star Game, according to NBC Sports, which will be played in January in St. Louis.
Read MoreWe fight as a family. ???? #OskarStrong pic.twitter.com/Uh4Rnv8UYU
Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 14, 2019
“I just went in the room and I saw it, it’s kind of tough not to be emotional,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux said before the game, NBC Sports reported. “But it’s good for everybody to see his jersey there.”
“When one of your teammates is going to go through a fight like this, [we’re] all behind him. We’re there to support him. … We love Oskar a lot, he’s a strong kid,” Giroux added.
Oskar supporters were in no short supply at the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota either. The Flyers took to their Instagram page to share a video of fans holding signs with messages like, “Oskar Strong” and “We Fly for Oskar.”
The outpouring of support for the young player comes after the Flyers made an official announcement about his condition last week, and reported that Lindblom would be forced to sit out the remainder of the season.
“Philadelphia Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom has been diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma by leading specialists at the University of Pennsylvania,” the team said in its announcement. “He will undergo further testing and evaluation next week and begin treatment immediately thereafter. He is not expected to return to play for the remainder of the season.”
Before the diagnosis, Lindblom was having an incredible season. He was tied as team lead for goals with 11 in 30 games, according to CBS Philly. He also had seven assists.
Ever since the announcement, fans have been taking to social media everyday to send their love to Lindblom. Though he has yet to comment on his diagnosis himself, and the Flyers did request that Lindblom and his family be given privacy during this hardship, love and well-wishes are still pouring in for the Sweden native from fans all across the globe.
“As a #Survivor I can tell you, it means the [world] knowing that others are pulling for you! Some days when I felt like I couldn’t go on, that love & support was like a wave pulling me through. #OskarStrong,” a Twitter user named Elle commented on one of the Flyers’ recent posts honoring Lindblom.
One fan even commented that he was using Facebook to try and coordinate a “Get well, Oskar” chant to take place during the 23rd minute (in honor of Lindblom’s number) during a Dec. 17 home game at the Flyers’ own Wells Fargo Center.
What Is Ewing’s Sarcoma?
Ewing's sarcoma is a cancer that grows in the bone or soft tissue, and can develop in the bones in many different parts of the body. It's most common in adolescents and young adults, from teen years to the mid-20s, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The Flyers did not announce what stage Lindblom's cancer was diagnosed at, or what type of treatment he'll be undergoing. However, the typical treatment for Ewing’s sarcoma may involve a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Certain factors will affect what type of treatment is given and the prognosis for the disease, such as whether the cancer has spread, whether it began in the bones or the soft tissues, and how large the tumor is at the time of diagnosis.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
