Chicago Blackhawks' Hossa helping Ivanka
Chicago Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa is trying to raise awareness and money for a fellow Slovakian woman who must undergo a costly medical procedure.
"Rainbow for Ivanka" is a campaign for Ivanka Danisova, a 27-year-old woman who was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital defect. Danisova has cardiac arrhythmia and deformation on the right side of her face because of underdeveloped cranial bones.
She already underwent a 14-hour operation in April and plans to go to a clinic in Cleveland in two weeks.
"There's no hospital in Europe (that) can do this procedure," Hossa said. "So she raised this money in a short period of time and successfully did the first surgery … but she needs the second one for it to be (completely) successful."
Hossa said the story received lots of attention in Slovakia, and he's hoping Hawks fans can come to Ivanka's aid.
"She's such a sweet girl. So smart," Hossa said. "Just finishing law school and getting her diploma, that says something. She's a strong girl and she's really fighting, and I would definitely love to help her."
Fans can go to gofundme.com/qh63t8p9 to donate.