On Thursday, the Philadelphia Flyers shared news that forward Oskar Lindblom has completed treatment for a rare bone cancer.
As noted by the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), the 23-year-old Lindblom was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma last December. He rung the bell at Abramson Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital to celebrate his final treatment:
Fight. Inspire. Overcome. Celebrate.
— x-Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 2, 2020
Ring that bell, @oskarlindblom!@PennMedicine #OskarStrong pic.twitter.com/RM1PCxHnfY
The Flyers thanked hospital staffers and also presented them with a Lindblom jersey:
Thank you to all the doctors and nurses at @PennMedicine for your extraordinary work, care, and help in making this incredible day possible. #OskarStrong pic.twitter.com/JO3PmKz8JU
— x-Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 2, 2020
Lindblom briefly spoke upon his exit from the medical facility:
"From family, to friends, to fans...I can't even explain how much they meant to me." - @oskarlindblom@PennCancer | #OskarStrong pic.twitter.com/S6RLeSnEVa
— x-Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 2, 2020
"I can't even explain how I feel," he said. "It feels like having my birthday, Christmas, and all those holidays at the same time. It feels awesome to be done. I can't wait to get back to normal life again and feel like I'm living."
Lindblom also thanked Flyers fans and the hockey community for their supportive messages during this difficult time.
"From family to friends to fans, I can't explain how much that meant to me, especially at the start," he said. "It was a rough time and I got all those kind words. It just made me feel so much better and calm and it (was) a real help, for sure."
ESPN's Emily Kaplan wrote on June 23 that Lindblom isn't expected to take part in the NHL's 24-team format to crown a 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion amid the coronavirus pandemic. The league plans to restart play later this month.
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