5 years ago Rafahl ‘Raffi’ Podniesinski came across an opportunity to fundraise for Women and Children’s Cancer by doing something he loves, Ice Hockey Goaltending. It was the first year he participated in October Saves and he hasn’t looked back since.
October Saves has goalies across North America using their passion for Hockey and goaltending to raise money for beneficiaries such as Stand Up to Cancer, the Jimmy Fund, Dana Faber, Several Hospitals, Treatments Centers, and The Goalie Guild Scholarship (A scholarship for goalies fighting cancer and cancer related illnesses). Goalies gather one time donations and Per Pledge Saves from September to November 1st. Raffi has been a top 5 fundraiser in the nation for the event all 5 years he has participated and has raised over 50K during that time. He was the top fundraiser overall one year, but he would be the first to tell you that he doesn’t do it for that and that he and others will always raise more than just him.
While not participating in October Saves Raffi has dedicated quite a bit of his time Fundraising for a local girl, Izzy, who is battling Leukemia and he often states she is his hero. “What she goes through and is fighting through is a reminder that no matter what happens during a game for me, it’s just a game” Raffi was asked to fundraise for Izzy by someone who knew of his fundraising lemonade stand/bake sale and knew Izzy’s family. Not knowing her Raffi said he would absolutely help, that was 2 years ago. This past spring he got the Bruins, New York Islanders, and Carolina Hurricanes to donate items to a raffle for Izzy and Raffi held his lemonade stand and bake sale the day of the Raffle.
Some locals in the community like Ice Hockey Coach Art Johnson have always been huge supporters of Raffi’s efforts and show up, without fail to help do what they can.
On September 18th, Raffi was invited to the Dana Faber institute to meet several Dr’s and learn where his fundraising goes, what it does, and who it helps. He also met with Lara Hopewell, Cancer Survivor and founder of October Saves, to help give Dana Faber a $100,000 donation from 2022’s October Saves. Lara says Raffi is a leader among the goalies. Raffi has earned prizes from his fundraising but has turned them down because, “that’s not why I do this”.
In the past 12 months Cancer effected Raffi more than he could have imagined, his Mema and biggest fan was diagnosed May 2022 and passed in October, a few weeks later his Dziadzia was diagnosed with cancer and passed in early February 2023, His Dad had to have several areas of Skin Cancer removed as well. Making this year a little more personal. Learning more about Izzy’s cancer and treatment while at Dana Faber, it’s a lot more personal.
“I just feel like if I can help someone I should, and I truly believe its everyone donating that’s doing the helping not me really. Helping others makes you feel good about yourself and it helps people if you know them or not. There is no losing there, it’s win/win”
Raffi’s Goalie mask is loud Neon Orange and Pink with a giant depiction of “the Crawling eye”, A movie he and his Mema watched when he was little. The back of his mask is the October Saves Crest and many cancer ribbons for players and loved ones fighting or passed from Cancer.
