Professional hockey player Oskar Lindblom, 23, who announced he had Ewing’s sarcoma this past December, has a special way of bringing joy to all of those around him even as he undergoes treatment. So when he surprised his Philadelphia Flyers teammates at Saturday’s Philadelphia Flyers game, it was clear he brightened the night for all in attendance.
Read More“It was great to see him,” adds the Flyers’ Carter Hart. “It’s nice to have him in the locker room … he’s a big part of the team.”
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Fans felt the same way: “Nothing better than seeing him back home with the biggest smile on his face. So much love for Oskar,” one commented on the video posted on the Flyers’ Instagram account.
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“Tissues please,” another commented,”happy tears … amazing. #OskarStrong.”
Lindblom’s equipment hangs at the Wells Fargo Center, ready for his return. And after the game — a win over the Winnipeg Jets — the Flyers honored Lindstrom with a ceremonial Player-of-the-Game silver helmet.
Although the team and Lindblom have declined to share details of his treatment, the young athlete’s positive attitude has shone through.
Lately, he’s been seen on his Instagram account, wishing his brother a happy birthday and, on New Year’s, he faced the coming year with confidence, writing, “2020 we’re ready for ya.”
"The Flyers will do everything to support Oskar and assist him in securing the best care available," the team said. "Out of respect for Oskar and his family, the team will have no further comment at this time and asks that Oskar be afforded a period of privacy so that he may focus his efforts on his treatment and a return to full health."
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The team has been using the hashtag #OskarStrong to show their support for Lindblom on social media.
What Is Ewing's Sarcoma?
Ewing's sarcoma is a cancer that grows in the bone or soft tissue, and can develop in many different parts of the body. It's most commonly diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, from teen years to the mid-20s, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The typical treatment for Ewing's sarcoma may involve a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Surgery can be done to remove cancer that may be left over after chemotherapy or radiation, according to the National Cancer Institute. 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.
If cancer is caught early, in a localized stage, the five-year survival rate for Ewing's sarcoma is around 83%, according to the American Cancer Society.
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