Charlie Capalbo is one of those guys that you just want to hang out with. He is a warrior in every sense of the word—you just want to be in his presence. When you meet him, he greets you with a big smile and a big hug. My kind of people! His story will inspire you this holiday season.

In 2017, Charlie Capalbo, a senior in high school and a dedicated hockey goalie in Fairfield, Connecticut, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma and then leukemia. Now, Charlie is 21 and doing great, and he’s starting college at Fairfield University in January. This holiday season, he and his amazing family want to give back. “We have so many people to thank”, he told me this week at his parents’ house in Fairfield, CT. On December 29th, Charlie and the entire Capalbo family are hosting a huge event at the Fairfield Theater Company.

“Capalbo Crushed Cancer” will be a celebration and a way to pay it forward. Guests will be celebrating Charlie with live music by the Rumrunners, DJ Vig, drink specials and special guest appearances by hockey legends. You can learn more about the entire event, purchase tickets and “Capalbo Strong” merchandise by clicking here.

Charlie and his family will be donating all proceeds from the event to Boston Children’s Hospital where Charlie underwent his treatment. The city of Boston certainly has a special place in Charlie’s heart now after staying there for many months of treatment and care. “The doctors and nurses there are incredible”, he said. Players from the Boston Bruins even came to visit Charlie in the hospital at Boston Children’s. Gotta love hockey! When Charlie got sick again a second time, he had to undergo a bone marrow transplant in Boston. His brother, Will, turned out to be a match. On February 4, 2019, the Capalbo brothers bonded for life during that transplant procedure. 

Now, Will is a freshman at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. Charlie described them: “We are almost like twins now!” Charlie is doing well this holiday season. He is still undergoing regular PT sessions and he is trying to be a “normal college kid” spending time with his friends. He can’t quite return to the ice the way he’d like to yet, but he is getting his skates back on when he can. His positive attitude is contagious and his gratitude for his community is powerful. 

His incredible mom, Jenny, is one of the strongest women I have ever met in my entire life. When I asked her how she kept going during all those stressful and scary months when her son was sick, she responded, “I never left his side, and we kept our humor going the whole time.” One of Charlie’s favorite catchphrases is, “a setback is a set up for a comeback.” Words to live by for all of us this holiday season and heading into the new year of 2020! He can’t wait to thank everyone on 12/29.

Thank you all for supporting Charlie and the Capalbo family!

xoxo NBC #CapalboStrong

P.S. You can follow Charlie’s journey on his Instagram.