PK Subban donates hockey stick to charity event for five-year-old

In total, the event raised $10,000, which will go towards buying an FES cycle. This exercise machine is used as part of the rehabilitation process for suffers of spinal cord injuries and improves the fitness and wellbeing of paraplegic and quadriplegic patients.

In March, Austin suffered cardiac arrest following a highway car crash in Alaska. Throughout the subsequent coma, which lasted four weeks, his family refused to accept the recommendations from the doctors that they turn off his life support machine. Miraculously, Austin eventually showed signs of improvements, and now five months on, his family in Montreal are raising funds to help provide the support needed for his rehabilitation.

Tara Doherty, Austin’s cousin and West Island resident organised Comedy for a Cause with the help of her friend Alison MacDonald. Together they rallied the support of local residents and also businesses who generously donated prizes for the event. While this cycle will aid in maintaining a level of muscular fitness, Austin will continue to undergo extensive rehabilitation procedures, and he is exceptionally lucky to be alive, as Tara commented “according to the doctors, his situation is so rare he is probably the only child this decade that will survive this type of injury.”

The event combined a slideshow of images of Austin as well as comedy performances. The crowd were entertained by a silent auction including a dress by Montreal’s internationally renowned designer, Erdem.

For more information about continued fundraising for Austin visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/AustinErvinHealing