Date Saturday May 4th, 2024
The 2024 hockey game will take place May 4th at Laurel Gardens Ice House in Laurel, MD starting at 12:00pm. The fun continues at Kelly's Irish Times in DC that evening starting at 6:00pm. Come join us for food, drinks, raffles and fun!
Can't make it but still want to donate to a great cause?
The Never Retreat foundation is a non-profit organization inspired by the courage and strength of Ryan Gebler. We are dedicated to funding programs that inspire hope, healing and encouragement to those battling cancer and their families. The foundation, galvanized by Ryan’s Never Retreat spirit, strives to support initiatives which address the spiritual, emotional, and physical toll that cancer wages on those afflicted.
The Never Retreat Foundation is a non-profit, family and volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by cancer. It was established in 2015, by the family and friends of Ryan Gebler, to honor his life and memory.
Motivated by Ryan's attitude and seemingly effortless ability to bring people together for a cause, Ryan's family and friends created the Never Retreat Foundation. This organization was founded in the spirit of funding programs that inspire hope, healing, and encouragement to individuals and families affected by cancer.
We are looking for individuals willing to donate their time, talents, and resources to provide a direct impact for cancer patients and their families. If you are interested in supporting our foundation, your contributions, no matter the size, will go toward funding programs that support cancer patients and their families. You have the power to bring hope and to spread our message.
Ryan Gebler, an accomplished collegiate hockey player, talented musician, and a friend to all lost his battle with a rare form of bone cancer on December 23rd, 2012. This aggressive form of cancer put Ryan through years of hospital visits and multiple surgeries. Hanging over Ryan’s bed throughout his ordeal were the colors or flag flown by the Irish Brigade during the United States Civil War. When translated, it reads, "Who Never Retreated From The Clash of Spears." To Ryan, the flag was a sign of perseverance and hope. To Ryan's family and friends, the flag became a source of inspiration to remain steadfast and to help others.
While Ryan was known for his many talents, he will best be remembered for his ability and desire to bring people together. Whether it was family, friends, teammates, band mates, classmates, or roommates, to Ryan, more certainly did equal merrier. Ryan’s infectious personality bred an intimate sense of closeness. To know Ryan was to feel welcomed and cared for; to feel like you belonged. Ryan recognized that togetherness empowers us to battle and to heal in difficult times. Today we unite in Ryan's memory to be a source of strength for others in their time of weakness; to Never Retreat in our pursuit to help those afflicted with cancer.
Brendan Gebler
Chairman
Shannon Gebler
Vice Chairman
Brian Susko
Secretary
Kevin Susko
Treasurer
Colin Higgins
Joseph Parsons
Lauren Susko
Josh Chilton
Dianne Zalenski
Sean Susko
Kristen Finnegan
Joseph Dumas
Lia Noel
Natalie Brennan
In 2015, the Never Retreat Foundation donated $3000 to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Our donation supported the music therapy department. Since joining Children's National in 2011, Clarissa Karlsson (second from the left), music therapist, has touched the lives of countless children and young adults. During Ryan's treatment at Children's National, he was a recipient of Clarissa's music therapy. Click here to watch the video that inspired us all!
In 2016, The Never Retreat Foundation donated $3000 to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. We were given a tour of some of the facilities and treatment centers in the hospital buy some of the brilliant, hard working staff members that come together every day and work so hard to help make children going through the worst time of their lives just a little bit better. It's moments like these that remind us why this foundation needs to continue to be successful
In 2017, The Never Retreat Foundation $5000 to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. The tour was amazing and once again reminds us why we do what we do. We believe our donation helps these children who are fighting for their lives and we will continue to create events to raise money and awareness for hospitals like these all over the US
In 2018, The Never Retreat Foundation donated $5000 to fund a beautiful room wrap for the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. The wrap was installed in the treatment room where ultrasounds are performed in order to diagnose / observe a number of maladies, including cancer, in children.
Prefer to send a check? Make checks payable to The Never Retreat Foundation
219 3rd St, Oakmont, PA 15139
412.607.4039
Want to find out how else you can help? Fill out the contact form below and we'll get back to you.