Rinne, Preds Present 365 Fund Check to Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt

From the moment he sets foot in the facility, it's evident how much he means to these people, to this place.
The requests for handshakes, photos and autographs never wane, and he accepts each and every one of them with the same class he always has - and always will.
More than five years ago, once he signed his long-term deal to remain in Nashville, still the only NHL city he's ever known, Pekka Rinne wanted to do something more. Sure, he had been to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt many times before, sometimes with his teammates, other times on his own, just to drop by for an afternoon.

But he wanted to make a measurable impact in the community that was about to become so much more than a place to reside. Ideas were brainstormed, and from those sessions came the idea for the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund - a way for him to make a monetary impact and give back to children and families who are dealing with complications no child should ever have to face.
Five years ago, the first check was presented, more than $200,000, a magnificent success in the first go around. Five years later, as the number was revealed, that trademark smile spread across the goaltender's face, those pearly whites saying more than any words could.
A record $523,365.18 was the number this time around. It's one thing to imagine days like this. It's another see it happen.
"It's pretty amazing, just seeing that check," Rinne said. "It's pretty mind-blowing and unreal that it's grown that much. It's very humbling, but at the same time, I'm very proud to be part of it. That's a big thank you to the whole community."
It couldn't happen without the support of Twice Daily, without the work of the Nashville Predators Foundation season after season, without the compassion of Predators fans who open their hearts to causes such as this.
And then there's the children.
"Any time you have an opportunity to come here and see the kids, and not only the kids, but their families, you can feel that maybe two minutes makes their day a little bit better," Rinne said. "You get to see a few smiles, and you can't even imagine what some of these families and kids are going through."

After Rinne presented the check and posed for a few photos, he was asked a simple, yet intellectual question by a young patient: "If you could have a time machine and change anything, what would you change?"
The goalie thought for a few moments before settling on a response: nothing.
He thought about how lucky he is to play the game he loves in a city he loves. He recalled his relationship with the hospital and how it's grown over the years. And he spoke with pride on what he's been able to do thanks to the position he's in.
It never gets old, every time he walks into the building. Because no matter how his day is going or what the result was the night before, there is still a child waiting for a hug.
And he needs them just as much as they need him.
"I can't get over how amazing this place is," Rinne said. "Everybody who works here and the whole atmosphere - the families and kids are lucky to have a place like this."
Just as they're lucky to have Pekka.