The New York Islanders have pledged $150,000 to establish a child support center at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Hospital in New Hyde Park, New York. This initiative, announced in partnership with Northwell Health, aims to provide a dedicated space where children can wait comfortably while a parent receives cancer treatment.

The new facility will be named in honor of Jennifer Schaefer, the late mother of Matthew Schaefer, who passed away from breast cancer in February 2024. The donation comes through the Islanders Children’s Foundation and reflects the team’s commitment to supporting families affected by cancer.

Scheduled to open in October, the center is designed to offer a welcoming and supportive environment for young visitors during often difficult hospital visits. The collaboration between the New York Islanders and Northwell Health underscores the broader effort to address the needs of patients’ families throughout the treatment process.

By creating this child-focused space, the hospital hopes to ease some of the emotional strain experienced by children during their parent’s medical care, enhancing the overall patient and family experience at the facility.