Courage without logos
September 6, 2005
By Cam Tait
Standing ovations are nothing new to Lee Fogolin. As a member of the high flying Edmonton Oilers back in the 1980s, Lee carried the Stanley Cup around the rink as the locals went wild - jumping to their feet, cheering, yelling, screaming. Sharing in the joy was his wife Carol, who no doubt knew how special this standing ovation was. But chances are that even that experience couldn't prepare the couple for the admiration they received recently from both close friends and total strangers who admired their courage; courage that, for most of us, cannot even be imagined.
Lee and Carol were attending an annual golf tournament co-hosted by Oiler general manager Kevin Lowe. They didn't golf but were seated at a table near the door for the closing banquet. Organizers weren't certain if Lee and Carol would speak that night. But just as the steaks were being served to the guests, Lee confirmed that they were planning to speak.
As they walked up to the podium, a silencing hush filled the banquet room. Most people in the room probably thought about that night in May of 2004, a night that was written about and broadcast in the media. Like thousands of nights before, Lee and Carol said goodnight to their son Michael in their Edmonton home. Michael was a 17-year-old young man with one season of junior hockey tucked under his jersey. Following in his father's footsteps, his hope was to one day skate in the National Hockey League.
Shortly after they said goodnight, Lee heard an unfamiliar sound from Mike's bedroom. Mike was coughing and seemed to be experiencing great difficulty. Lee rushed into his son's room. Mike was very ill. Lee held his son in his arms and asked Carol to call 911. By the time the family arrived at the hospital by ambulance, Michael had passed away.
Standing in front of 400 at the banquet, Carol took a neatly folded piece of paper from her sweater pocket. Slowly, she started talking about her son Mike; about how Mike took his own Wayne Gretzky autographed Oilers jersey to the Salvation Army one Christmas because he knew there was some kid who needed it more than he did; about how he was a good student; about...and then, emotion took over and Carol broke down and cried openly. Lee held his wife, in what must have been one of her toughest moments.
But it soon turned into, perhaps, one of her brightest.
The annual golf tournament they were attending was in support of the Stollery Children's Hospital. After Carol spoke, it was announced that the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation was creating the Michael Fogolin Champions Fund in honour of Mike's memory. Resources will be put into the fund and will go directly to children requiring immediate attention. Michael's spirit and love of life will be shared with many.
The majority of people at the banquet were the movers and shakers of Edmonton. The parking lot was full of vehicles with such logos as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche. But the stock portfolios, the vacation properties, the pending business deals, and so many other things that seem to propel our society - for better or for worse - were forgotten. With a quiver in his voice and a full heart, Lee looked at his old defence partner Kevin. "Our children," Lee said, "are our greatest gift."
Lee and Carol made their way back to their table. The crowd was on its feet; people were clapping, many with tears in their eyes. A great act of courage and giving was just witnessed. A standing ovation was certainly the proper salute.
Cam Tait is a sports reporter and columnist for the Edmonton Journal. He covered community investments and volunteers for 19 years. E-mail Cam at cam@charityvillage.com with thoughts, suggestions or ideas.
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