'Stick it to Cancer' event a big success for Patchogue-Medford student Paulina Sanchez, community

Patchogue-Medford’s gymnasium was filled with the sounds of hockey sticks smacking the floor, lively music, play-by-play commentary and constant cheering. But it was the sight of Paulina Sanchez with a mile-long smile, dancing in the stands alongside her mother, Rosa Valencia, that pierced through all the noise.

The Pat-Med sophomore, who has been battling leukemia since February 2020, was the star of the "Stick it to Cancer" floor hockey tournament on Wednesday. It's the 10th anniversary of the event, which missed one year because of the pandemic. 

Each year, Ryan Munkwitz and the Raiders Ice Hockey Club organize the event to raise money for a student in the Pat-Med school district that suffers from cancer. All proceeds go directly to the student and his/her family to help aid the financial burden that comes with the disease.

The tournament raised around $4,000 annually in its first few years, but last year’s tournament raised more than $6,000. Munkwitz estimated that last year’s total was surpassed during Wednesday’s fundraiser for Sanchez, who has been in remission for six months.

“It means everything to me,” Sanchez said. “I don’t really have any words other than I’m very grateful that I’m able to stand here with everyone who came out to support.”

The tournament was spread across two gyms and included five student teams, seven faculty teams and two teams representing local businesses. Each team wore a shirt that had “For Paulina” printed on the back. Sanchez took the floor before the tournament’s first game for the ceremonial puck drop.

“My only family here is Paulina, my son and my husband. Sometimes, you feel alone,” Valencia said. “It’s beautiful that they have this event for her. When I saw her name on their shirts, it was an amazing feeling. In this moment, my daughter is happy. That means more to me than any amount of money.”

Professional Care Physical Therapy and Cirigliano Insurance Agency each pledged $10 per goal scored throughout the tournament. They presented a joint check of $2,000 to Sanchez at the end of the night.

Before the championship games, Munkwitz orchestrated the Chuck-A-Duck competition, in which a target was placed on the center of the floor and everyone who purchased a rubber duck for $5 tried to throw their duck closest to the bullseye. The winner took home a flat-screen television.

Earlier in the day, former New York Islander Benoit Hogue made an appearance and donated an autographed jersey and trading card that were among several raffle items.

The tournament was started in 2014 by Angela D’Amico, who organized the event for the first six years before Munkwitz became the tournament’s coordinator.

“We’re a very big district, so unfortunately, there’s always someone in the district that has cancer,” Munkwitz said. “I just love that everyone is coming together for this cause. It’s a really good bonding experience and it feels like it’s a more tight-knit community as a result.”

Munkwitz is Sanchez’s science teacher and said that despite being in remission, she still occasionally misses class because of doctor appointments and hospital visits. Sanchez received a bone marrow transplant from her father, Paulino Sanchez, and said that her doctors have been checking to make sure that her blood cells are stable.

Sanchez now suffers from Graft-versus-Host Disease, a complication commonly associated with bone marrow and stem cell transplants, which occurs when donor bone marrow or stem cells recognize the host as foreign and attack the recipient. Her main symptom is eczema, but she occasionally experiences internal pain and inflammation.

Sanchez knows the fight isn’t completely over yet, but she has come a long way in her recovery and is starting to feel like herself again.

“She’s a great kid and one of my best students. You feel for her. It’s heartbreaking,” Munkwitz said. “I’m just trying to do everything I can to help her. It’s heartwarming knowing that we as a community can do something to help her and her family.”