Rory Guilday's Road to Redemption: From Chemotherapy to Olympic Glory
In a stunning turn of events, 23-year-old American defender Rory Guilday has made it to the US women's hockey team for the upcoming Olympics. The journey was far from smooth, however. A year ago, Guilday was cut from the 2025 world championship-winning team, but she refused to give up on her dreams.
After being diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma, a benign tumor that affected her vision in one eye, Guilday underwent nine months of chemotherapy. The grueling treatment took a toll on her body and soul, causing her to lose most of her strength and identity as a hockey player. Skating was no longer the same without her ankles holding up, leaving her feeling devastated.
Yet, with the support of her loved ones and a newfound determination, Guilday adapted to her new reality. Her brain adjusted, allowing her to regain confidence and fearlessness on the ice. "My left eye has just taken over," she quipped, referring to her exceptional vision in that eye, which now serves as her primary sense. The 20/15 vision she achieved in her left eye is a testament to her remarkable resilience.
Despite the setbacks, Guilday continued to pursue her passion for hockey, eventually getting drafted by the Ottawa Charge in the Professional Women's Hockey League. She played on world championship teams in 2022, 2023, and 2024 while balancing her studies as a Cornell student-athlete.
Now, with her Olympic debut just around the corner, Guilday is more appreciative of the time she has to play hockey than ever before. "It makes you really appreciate when you do get to play," she said in a recent interview. As she prepares for her first game against Czechia on Thursday, Guilday's family will be by her side, having traveled all the way from Minnesota to Italy after learning of her selection.
Guilday's story serves as an inspiration to anyone who has faced adversity, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, there is always a chance for redemption and triumph. As she takes to the ice alongside the best players in the world, Guilday will be living proof that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.
In a stunning turn of events, 23-year-old American defender Rory Guilday has made it to the US women's hockey team for the upcoming Olympics. The journey was far from smooth, however. A year ago, Guilday was cut from the 2025 world championship-winning team, but she refused to give up on her dreams.
After being diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma, a benign tumor that affected her vision in one eye, Guilday underwent nine months of chemotherapy. The grueling treatment took a toll on her body and soul, causing her to lose most of her strength and identity as a hockey player. Skating was no longer the same without her ankles holding up, leaving her feeling devastated.
Yet, with the support of her loved ones and a newfound determination, Guilday adapted to her new reality. Her brain adjusted, allowing her to regain confidence and fearlessness on the ice. "My left eye has just taken over," she quipped, referring to her exceptional vision in that eye, which now serves as her primary sense. The 20/15 vision she achieved in her left eye is a testament to her remarkable resilience.
Despite the setbacks, Guilday continued to pursue her passion for hockey, eventually getting drafted by the Ottawa Charge in the Professional Women's Hockey League. She played on world championship teams in 2022, 2023, and 2024 while balancing her studies as a Cornell student-athlete.
Now, with her Olympic debut just around the corner, Guilday is more appreciative of the time she has to play hockey than ever before. "It makes you really appreciate when you do get to play," she said in a recent interview. As she prepares for her first game against Czechia on Thursday, Guilday's family will be by her side, having traveled all the way from Minnesota to Italy after learning of her selection.
Guilday's story serves as an inspiration to anyone who has faced adversity, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, there is always a chance for redemption and triumph. As she takes to the ice alongside the best players in the world, Guilday will be living proof that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.
. That optic nerve thingie sounded like a legit reason to miss out on some hockey action, but now she's back and more determined than ever? Coincidence? I don't think so! 
Maybe it was all just a setup for this big comeback. And what's with the 20/15 vision in her left eye? Too good to be true? 
That's some fancy optics if you ask me... I'm not saying she didn't deserve it, but let's keep an open mind about this whole Olympic thing 
this girl's story is EVERYTHING! she went thru so much, from being cut from the team 2 dealing w/ cancer & losing her vision in one eye... but she didn't let that bring her down 
. she came back stronger than ever, adapting to her new reality & finding a way 2 make hockey work again 
️. i love how she's now living proof that w/ hard work & determination, u can achieve ANYTHING 
. the fact that she's going 2 the olympics is just... WOW! 
Rory's story is literally the most inspiring thing I've read all week!!! 
She's an amazing role model for anyone who's ever felt like giving up on their dreams because life threw them a curveball 
. I mean, can you even imagine having to go through chemotherapy and then still managing to come back stronger and more fierce than ever? 
Goddess, Rory is my spirit animal!!! 
. I'm literally so hyped for her Olympic debut and I know she's gonna CRUSH it!!! 
then she went thru chemo and almost lost everything 
but now shes back on the ice with better vision than ever 
20/15 in her left eye lol what a superhero 
I'm literally shaking my head over this story, it's like a superhero origin story! 
Rory Guilday's journey from feeling like giving up on hockey to making the Olympics team is a total inspiration 
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. I was talking to my friend the other day and she said she tried to cut down on carbs but ended up eating an entire bag of chips in one sitting 
. It's a super inspiring story that will definitely motivate people to chase their dreams no matter what obstacles come their way 
congrats to rory and her fam 
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. What if she never got diagnosed with a tumor or went through chemotherapy? Would she still be on the team? It's like we're celebrating her for playing hockey despite being weak, rather than actually achieving greatness 
and I mean, 20/15 vision in one eye? that's insane