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2011-09-06in-the-newsNews<p>When the Bruins ended their long 39-year drought this past June winning the Stanley Cup, every corner of New England rejoiced. The patients and staff of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital can indentify with the challenge of overcoming difficult struggles more than most. As the cup began touring the world many throughout the hospital hoped they too might catch a glimpse of the famous trophy.</p>

Andrew Ference Brings The Stanley Cup To Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

in-the-news
September 6,  2011

BOSTON, MA- When the Bruins ended their long 39-year drought this past June winning the Stanley Cup, every corner of New England rejoiced. The patients and staff of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital can indentify with the challenge of overcoming difficult struggles more than most. As the cup began touring the world many throughout the hospital hoped they too might catch a glimpse of the famous trophy. The Bruins and Bruins Foundation have a long relationship with Spaulding including visits to the Spaulding Pediatric Unit each December as part of their annual holiday events. Defenseman Andrew Ference joined the team four years ago and has been part of many visits to Spaulding and developed a strong connection to the people and patients he met. When his day with the Stanley Cup came he knew Spaulding would be on his list to visit. So on a sunny Labor Day holiday, pulling up to the hospital just yards from the Garden on his bike with the Stanley Cup in tow, Ference delivered on a promise to the hundreds of patients and staff assembled, giving them a day they would never forget.

"To come to Spaulding was always at the very top of the list for my day with the Stanley Cup Day. During so many of our visits, I'm always blown away every time I come here. The patients and the staff are inspiring and work so hard to get better that I was grateful to share some time with them," said Andrew Ference, Boston Bruins Defenseman.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, himself a former patient at Spaulding, was on hand to greet Ference with Spaulding President David Storto and congratulate him on his momentous achievement.

"What the Bruins did for the city and our region was inspiring. But it's the commitment of the players like Andrew who are also part of our community to give back to their neighbors and wonderful places like Spaulding that truly makes them champions," said Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

As Ference first was greeted by a welcome of over 100 patients recovering from everything from stroke, traumatic brain injury to serious burns, it soon became apparent the impact that his visit and the sight of the Cup had. "Andrew has been such a strong supporter of Spaulding for several years and we are so honored that on his one day with the Stanley Cup he made our patients, staff and families a priority. This is something that will lift their spirits as they continue to work towards their recoveries," said David Storto, President, Spaulding Rehabilitation.

Read Article from CBS Boston