Bigger than Hockey: The NHL honors CBJ staffer and veteran beat writer at the NHL Awards!
[Applause] this year a beloved member of the hockey Community faced a battle far more high stakes than anything happening on the ice Aaron ports line has been a sports writer for over 30 years he made a name for himself as a trusted voice in the game and has covered the Blue Jackets from their very first game for decades he was quietly fighting his own battle day and night Aaron had inherited the same kidney issues that forced his mother and brother to get kidney transplants without help without a donor he knew time was running out as he went through the ordeal of dialysis everyone who came forward to help including his wife and other family and friends kept failing as a match he started to lose hope he tweeted out that he needed a donor as a last ditch effort and little did he know that someone in his other family would respond Aaron spent his career writing about hockey Heroes on the ice and finally when he’d almost run out of time he found one off the ice we found out that there is a match I don’t know who the match is I’m glad that you mentioned that that’s actually the real reason why you’re here I am your donor no way no way wow oh my God lendy now please welcome the woman who saved Aaron’s life Columbus Blue Jackets corporate Communications specialist and living Kidney donor Lindy n thank you the reason I did this is because my dad had cancer and there was no donation that could save him I wish Aaron could be here but he’s back home in Columbus and wasn’t cleared to fly but I know I speak on his behalf when I say this is what being part of our hockey Community is all about now Lindy I know you’re used to handing out surprises but we’ve actually got one for you Aaron is recovering well in Columbus and wanted to send you this special message I’ve been so fortunate to be part of the Community for so many years now and I’ve never felt that love that connection more than I have over this past year on this night when the NHL honors so many of the people and the players who make this game great I’m thankful for the opportunity to again say thank you to my MVP Lindy null of the Columbus Blue Jackets it takes an incredibly Brave and kind person to do what you did Lindy you literally saved my life myself my family and my friends are endlessly grateful thank you so much [Applause]
Our very own Lindy Noel was honored at the NHL Awards for her life saving organ donation to beat writer Aaron Portzline. Welcome to the stage by Gaten Matarazzo, from Stranger Things, Lindy was honored by the entire hockey world in Las Vegas!
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1 comment
So cool to have gaten there. This is such a great story