Ducks goalkeeper coach Sudarshan “Sudsie” Maharaj Organized a party for family and friends near his home in Toronto this weekend.
He had a lot to celebrate.
“It is not a tradition here in Canada as much as in the United States, but some people will know what it means when I do this,” said Maharaj before picking up a bell and ring him several times.
His guests broke out in cheers, because many of them knew exactly what it meant.
“For those who do not know, I saw the oncologist yesterday,” continued Maharaj, “and I was declared without cancer. “”
Even stronger cheers followed, while Maharaj's wife Yvonne picked up the bell and rang it several times to commemorate the joyful opportunity.
Maharaj had a low chance of survival when he received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in May 2023. Ducks Family for more than 10 years and coach of the team's goalkeepers since 2016, Maharaj was unable to work for most of last season while facing challenges such as major surgery that removed its gallbladder and certain parts of its small intestines, pancreas and stomachs, as well as 11 chemotherapy cycles.
He surprised the team In February with a visitorship visit while the Ducks were in Toronto for a match against the Maple Leafs.
“I just wanted you to know that it is incredible what can happen when you focus on beat the chances,” he told the team at the time. “I was told that when I was diagnosed, I had 20 to 40% of survival – 20 to 40%.
“Here I am.”
Maharaj returned to work on a base limited to the end of the season and will go full time in the coming months.
“It was an emotional year for my family and I, culminating with the incredible news that I am without cancer,” Maharaj said in a statement in which he thanked his doctors, the Ducks organization and others.
“I would not be here today without the support of my wife, Yvonne, and two girls, Alexandra and Katherine. In many ways, I am extremely lucky, starting by having them in my life. ”
Maharaj and Duck assistant colleague Mike StoolsA survivor of stage 3 melanoma of the lymph node lympion was selected by the NHL to receive and give a subsidy of $ 25,000 to non -profit organizations sensitizing cancer in the County of Orange. STOTORS – A special advisor to the coaches of the Ducks and their affiliate AHL, The San Diego Gulls – received his diagnosis a few months before Maharaj and was able to continue working full time this season during a treatment.
“My good friend and colleague coach Mike StoolsWho also wins his fight against cancer, reminded us all after his diagnosis that we should listen to our body and see a doctor if something feels turned off, “Maharaj wrote in his declaration.” I did exactly that, and I am alive today as a consequence. Thank you Mike, and thank you all! “”
