Mighty Ducks Gather Off Ice in an Effort to Help Out Holan

One-by-one they filled out the proper forms, then gave just a little bit of themselves in order to help out a teammate.

The Mighty Ducks were tested en masse Tuesday at The Pond to see if their blood matched Milos Holan’s. Holan, a defenseman from the Czech Republic, has chronic granulocytic leukemia and needs a marrow transplant.

Testing of the Ducks’ players, coaches and management was just the first step in a much-larger search of world-wide marrow donor banks. It could take several months before a suitable donor is found.

“All of us are hoping we’ll be the match,” Duck captain Randy Ladouceur said. “This is a nice thing the organization is doing for him. Hopefully, we’ll find a match.”

Earlier this season, Coach Ron Wilson told Holan he hoped he was a match. Holan said he’d prefer if it was Ray Bourque, Boston’s standout defenseman.

“Great comeback,” Ladouceur said.

Holan, 24, was diagnosed during training camp and it’s believed the disease is in its early stages. Holan continues to play while waiting for a donor, remaining confident he will beat the illness.

His teammates find it difficult to believe he’s sick.

“A lot of times you forget,” Ladouceur said. “He hasn’t been hanging his head. He’s just waiting for his chance to get back in the lineup. If we hadn’t been told, you’d never know [he has leukemia].”

Added left wing Todd Krygier: “Everyone feels awful for Milos and the situation he’s in. [But] Milos seems to be doing really well. We’ve just got to find a match.”

Plans are in the works for Holan to meet with Angel batting coach Rod Carew, whose daughter Michelle has a different form of leukemia. Carew stopped by The Pond briefly, but had to leave before Holan returned from the Ducks’ practice rink in downtown Anaheim.

For further information on becoming a donor, call the National Marrow Donor Program at (800) 654-1247.