Friends and former teammates are rallying around a former Ontario Junior Hockey League player who is paralyzed from the neck down following an accident last summer.

Rob Mazzuca played for the Markham Waxers of the OJHL and the Thornhill Rattlers of the Metro Jr A league from 1997 to 2000. The Stouffville native is now 40 years old.

The sad story of a summer day gone awry is told on Rob’s gofundme page, which was  organized by friends Gianna and Raffi Torres:

“On Saturday, Aug. 3, we got the worst news imaginable. Our friend Mindy called to tell us that her fiancé – Rob (Robert Mazzuca) – had a very serious accident. He was with friends and their children at the lake during the day, when he went down a blow-up slide. It was shallow water resulting in a broken neck and severely damaged spinal cord.

“He has been in the ICU for two months now and fighting every day. He is completely coherent with no brain damage but right now paralyzed shoulders down and diagnosed quadriplegic. We are praying every single day along with his family and friends for any improvement and that he continues to stay strong.  

“He was just shy of his 40th birthday at the time of the accident. We are asking that anyone who is in a position to donate PLEASE DO! Every single donation small or big will go a long way and mean the world to Rob and Mindy.  

“He will need lots of medical equipment and full-time care with his recovery and future.  Please send your prayers and positive thoughts to them. Everyone who knows Rob knows him as a very kind, generous, and amazing man. His smile and laugh can light up any room at any time. Please help Rob, Mindy and their families in the worst time, to get through this with as much ease as possible. Please share and spread the word.”

Since August, 159 people have donated $22,715 toward the $40,000 goal.

To donate or for more information click here