Kids battling cancer discover joy on the ice through Coral Springs skating program that brings hope and normalcy
Coral Springs, Florida – In Coral Springs, the sound of blades carving across ice is carrying a meaning far deeper than sport. For children battling cancer, stepping onto the rink is not just about learning to skate — it is about reclaiming moments of childhood that illness often interrupts.
Through a program built on care, patience, and play, young patients and their siblings are finding a space where hospital routines fade into the background, even if just for a short time.
The initiative, known as the N.I.C.K.’s Ice Skating program, is run by The Chiera Family Foundation at the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs. It offers six-week learn-to-skate sessions held each spring and fall, giving children undergoing cancer treatment a chance to try something new in a supportive setting.
The program is now in its sixth year and continues to grow in both participation and impact. Professional figure skaters guide the sessions, helping pediatric oncology patients and their siblings learn basic skating skills while encouraging confidence on the ice. The experience is intentionally designed to be simple, joyful, and free from pressure.
At the heart of the program is the idea that childhood should not disappear during illness. The foundation’s N.I.C.K. programs, which stands for “Nothing’s Impossible for Cancer Kids,” focus on creating spaces where children can laugh, move, and spend time with family and friends outside of clinical environments.
The skating sessions are part of a wider network of recreational programs developed by the foundation. Support for the initiative comes in part from a grant provided by the Florida Panthers Foundation, helping ensure that families can participate without financial barriers.
While ice skating is one of the most visible programs, it is not the only one. The foundation also runs N.I.C.K.’s Golf, a structured learn-to-golf experience created in partnership with Topgolf and The First Tee of Broward. The program runs for four weeks and brings together children receiving chemotherapy along with their siblings and friends.
Unlike traditional sports training, the focus is not competition but connection. Children are taught basic golf skills alongside lessons in teamwork, patience, and personal growth. The program recently hosted 14 children during its Spring 2026 session, continuing a tradition that has now lasted nine years.
Both skating and golf programs are part of a larger mission that has been developing for more than three decades. The Chiera Family Foundation was founded 33 years ago in memory of Nicholas Chiera, who died from cancer 37 years ago. His story remains central to the organization’s identity and long-term vision.
Beyond sports, the foundation also supports children affected by cancer through college scholarships for survivors and opportunities for summer camp experiences. These efforts are designed to extend support beyond treatment and into long-term recovery and personal development.
Even with its long history, the foundation continues to expand its outreach through community events and fundraising efforts. This year, its annual celebrations are scheduled for May 17 and 18 at Broken Sound Country Club in Boca Raton.
The first event, a “Studio 54 Gala” dinner and auction, will take place on May 17, bringing together supporters, donors, and families connected to the foundation’s mission. The following day, the organization will host its annual golf tournament at The Old Course at Broken Sound, continuing its tradition of combining recreation with fundraising.
Together, these events help sustain the skating program, golf sessions, and other initiatives that serve children undergoing cancer treatment. The funds raised ensure that programs remain accessible and free for families who already carry heavy medical and emotional burdens.
At its core, the work happening in Coral Springs is not about sports performance. It is about moments — small but meaningful — where children can forget about hospital visits and focus instead on balance, laughter, and learning something new alongside siblings who share their journey.
In those moments on the ice, the rink becomes more than a training space. It becomes a place where resilience quietly grows, one glide at a time.
