Exclusive | Cancer survivor hits North Americas…
A Chicago cancer survivor who realized life is just too short ventured to see a match-up at all 124 major stadiums and arenas in North America — and set his closing stop as an Islanders hockey recreation over the weekend.
Then he found one thing else terribly particular about the date.
Ashvin Lad,. 51, told The Post he picked Saturday’s afternoon showdown between the Long Island crew and the St. Louis Blues because he favored the date of 11/22 as a “numbers nerd” — only to later be taught the Islanders have been celebrating a Hockey Fights Cancer event at it.
Testicular cancer survivor Ashvin Lad, 51, went to an Islanders recreation at UBS Arena on Nov. 21, 2025 to full his tour of all 124 major skilled sports activities stadiums in North America. Stephen Yang for the NY Post
“It brings that whole post-cancer journey full circle,” said Lad, who sat with a handful of “Club 124” members at the sport to rejoice his conquest.
It had been a long street for the testicular cancer survivor.
“Before Dec. 31, 1999, I just had my most recent round of chemo, so I was not feeling well, I couldn’t do any celebrations — and I’m watching the entire world celebrate the new millennium,” Lad just lately recalled to The Post.
“I said to myself at that second, ‘When this is done, I’m going to go on the market and see as a lot of the world as I can, meet as many people as I can, and take in as many experiences I can.’ “
Now he’s performed that — and more, turning into only the twenty seventh recorded “Club 124” sports activities diehard to see each of the US’s and Canada’s baseball, hockey, basketball, and soccer arenas.
Lad set out to go to every stadium after vowing to live life to the fullest after beating cancer in 2000. Stephen Yang for the NY Post
Lad had visited just 4 of the 124 sports activities spots before profitable his bout with cancer — thanks to the same oncologist who handled Lance Armstrong — in February 2000.
Lad, who works on partnerships for the American Medical Association, hit the ground working that 12 months by touring to St. Louis to watch the NFL’s LA Rams, to Indianapolis to see the NBA’s Pacers and to Nashville to watch the NHL’s Predators.
“Whenever I travel for work and there’s a game going on. I would just go to a game. If I were traveling for vacation, and a game was going on, I’d go,” Lad said of his leisurely beginning tempo.
Lad visiting Boston’s Fenway Park with a pal. Courtesy of Ashvin Lad
Lad catching a Raiders recreation at the Oakland Coliseum. Courtesy of Ashvin Lad
He only realized of “Club 124” — an organized group where members keep observe of their stadium visits — in the 2010s after assembly a fellow journeyman in the Windy City.
“I said, I can’t believe this is a real thing. I’m really going to go do this, make a concerted effort and start planning,’ ” Lad said.
The cancer survivor said he had relative “flexibility” without a spouse or kids — plus a helpful lifetime $100,000 — to tour the sports activities world.
Down in entrance!
Lad said he loved his share of memorable sports activities moments over the years, such as Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans in 2013 and Yankee Aaron Judge’s first-ever home run in 2016.
Later that 12 months, Lad noticed the Chicago Cubs’ three home World Series video games at Wrigley Field, where he’s a season ticket-holder with a beloved repute for serving to children with their homework at the ballpark.
He reached around 74 stadiums — sitting in a selection of seats from discipline stage to the rafters — in the 2020s, then actually poured it on into the home stretch.
“September of 2022, I did a Thursday night football game — Chargers vs. Chiefs in Kansas City. I flew home Friday morning, went to work. and then I flew to Pittsburgh on Saturday, went to the Steelers game on Sunday, and then went to Buffalo for a Monday night Bills game,” Lad said.
Land and mates at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Courtesy of Ashvin Lad
Lad attending a Tennessee Titans recreation at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Courtesy of Ashvin Lad
“Then I flew home first thing Tuesday morning to go to work.”
Lad’s planning paid off, as he turned an professional at “doubling up,” often catching baseball, basketball and hockey on the same day or within 24 hours of each other.
“I even did an Eagles game in Philadelphia at one o’clock and then drove to Baltimore for a Sunday night Ravens vs. Patriots game,” he said.
Lad occurred to go to UBS Arena on the day the Islanders have been holding a Hockey Fights Cancer event. Stephen Yang for the NY Post
Lad said he feels he completed one thing great now.
“I wanted to have a better life than I did. I was very stressed out always. … Now I’ve done that,” he said.
Lad’s must-stop stadiums
Sofi Stadium, Los Angeles
UBS Arena, Long Island
PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Wrigley Field, Chicago
Bell Centre, Montreal
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
Intuit Dome, Los Angeles
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
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