Pictures Are Worth 1000 Words

Since 2010, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation has funded 161 Flashes of Hope photoshoots for nearly 2,000 patients and families in the Washington, D.C., region.

Several current Capitals players and alumni have participated in the photoshoots at sites including MedStar Capitals Iceplex and during the team's annual visit to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, including Alex Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov, and Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Flashes of Hope is a nonprofit organization that changes the way children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses see themselves through the gift of photography and raises money for pediatric cancer research.
As part of Hockey Fights Cancer month, we wanted to check in with a few of the past photoshoot participants for a quick Q&A to get an update on their health and what they've been up to.
Ayden Kutchravy:
Ayden was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in September 2010, at 3 years old.
Q: How is Ayden doing?
A: He is 13 now and has been off treatment for over six years! He has a bit of nerve damage in his feet from his cancer treatments, but other than that he is doing very well! He is in 8th grade and dreams of one day becoming a chef who owns his own farm.
Q: What has been keeping Ayden busy as of late?
A: We've adopted a shelter dog in the past year and Ayden has been spending a lot of time with her, especially since Covid has kept us homebound. He's also been learning some basic Japanese words and phrases, since he wants to visit where he was born!
Q: Who is his favorite Capitals player and memory?
A: His favorite ever Caps player was Braden Holtby and his favorite mascot is Slapshot! Slapshot always seems to find Ayden at events and makes him feel special by spending time with him and doing things Ayden wants to do, like playing the piano or checkers. Slapshot is the best. One of Ayden's favorite memories is when he was able to visit practice and skate with his favorite players and Slapshot! He also remembers that they served pizza for lunch, delivered by the Caps!

Natasha Patterson:
Natasha was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called aplastic anemia in 2015. Unexplainably, her immune system decided to attack her bone marrow where three important blood cells are made: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
She went through an experimental treatment at NIH that eliminated and suppressed the rogue t-cells that were attacking her.
Q: Where do you keep Natasha's Flashes of Hope photos?
A: We proudly display the photos in our kitchen and Natasha keeps a few photos by her bed. They bring joy to us every day.
Q: Who is her favorite Capitals player?
A: Natasha formed a special connection with Alex Ovechkin because they share Russian heritage. Ovi smiled ear to ear when we told him! It was amazing to see the Caps players as regular down to earth guys who were very sweet and gentle with Natasha and the other kids.
Q: What has been keeping her busy lately?
A: Today, Natasha is a normal 16-year-old junior in high school who strives to achieve straight A's in all her classes and who loves spending her spare time playing lacrosse.

Brock Ludwigson
Brock was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) as a one-year-old. Conditions included bone lesions throughout his body including the orbital, humerus, and pelvic.
Q: How is Brock's health currently?
A: He received chemotherapy for a year and has been in remission for over 5 years.
Q: What are some of his favorite current things to do?
A: Brock has many new hobbies - playing sports with his friends, animation/cartoon drawing, and writing books.
Q: Who is his favorite player?
A: Brock's favorite Capitals player is Alex Ovechkin.
Q: Where do you keep the Flashes of Hope photos?
A: We keep his pictures in his room and in our family photo albums.

Ryan Tomoff:
Ryan was diagnosed in 1996 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), relapsed twice once in 2000 and again in 2004. In 2004 he received a life saving Bone Marrow Transplant. Because of all the drugs from his protocol and the bone marrow transplant in 2016 he was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma on the right side of his tongue and only 4 months later it was discovered on the left side of his tongue. Just this past November 3rd he celebrated 16 years Cancer free.
Q: What's been keeping you busy?
A: In my free time I love to cook/ smoke meats. I have become an avid fan of smoking meats, anything from chicken to ribs and even brisket.
Q: Who's your favorite Caps player?
A: My favorite caps player has to be Ilya Samsonov, I have always been a fan of the goalies since I was a little kid. Olie Kolzig was my Idol.
Q: Favorite Caps memory?
A: My favorite caps memory besides winning the Cup in 2018 has to be Ovi's 4 goal game vs Montreal in 2008. A close second is 2018 Game Six as the Caps exercised the demons.
Q: Where do you keep your Flashes of Hope pictures?
A: My Flashes of hope photos are in my room hanging up in my room. They are a keepsake for sure!

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to learn more about Flashes of Hope and for more information on the Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer efforts visit:
WashCaps.com/CapsFightCancer
Flashes of Hope Photos Courtesy of: Virgil Ocampo