One year ago Thursday, Derek Zacchino played for his Bethpage hockey team on Stick It to Cancer Night -- an extra special moment because he was fighting cancer.
When Zacchino went in for an MRI with fluid in his brain, he asked himself 'When will I play hockey again?' The answer was just a few months later amid his battle with brain cancer.
But in the months before his incredible return, Zacchino couldn't skate, experienced double vision, vomiting and headaches. Doctors soon discovered a large tumor on his brain -- it was stage 4 glioblastoma.
Zacchino had two operations to remove the tumor and is now in remission - and back on the ice.
Derek says his love for the game and the love from his community has never been stronger. They've raised $35,000 for cancer research at Cohen Children's Medical Center.
With such incredible support and a new chance to play the game he loves, Derek isn't taking anything for granted.
"Every minute on the ice I love," he says.