That's because just before Christmas 2025, Kylie's mother was diagnosed with MND.
Kylie Boyd working in an operating theatre. Photo: Supplied
Kylie has spent the past nine years volunteering with the Ice Dogs, working her way from checking tickets at the front door to managing a two-time Goodall Cup-winning club team.
Her youngest son Hayden introduced the family to the Ice Dogs community nine years ago.
"From being the front door girl, just checking everybody in, to nine years later, I'm the manager."
"I'm responsible for clothing, gear, game-day organisation, ordering equipment, sticks, managing the boys and their injuries, travel, flights, accommodation, washing jerseys," she said.
"Pretty much just making sure the boys have got absolutely everything they need."
When her mother, now 77, was diagnosed with MND by Professor Dominic Rowe at the Macquarie University MND Research Centre, Kylie knew exactly which charity the Ice Dogs would support in 2026.
"When we were talking about the charity round, I said to everyone, 'Mum's just been diagnosed and we're going to do MND this year,'" Kylie recalls. "Everyone was automatically on board."
The timing also reinforced a long-standing connection between the Ice Dogs and the Macquarie University, where Kylie has primarily been a nurse in upper gastrointestinal and colorectal surgery at Macquarie University Hospital for 10 years.
Professor Dominic Rowe doing the puck drop at the start of the MND charity round. Photo: Ice Dogs
More than a fundraiser
Professor Dominic Rowe, who leads the Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre and diagnosed Kylie's mother, officially opened the charity round by dropping the ceremonial first puck.
"We've been trying to align ourselves and do some work with Macquarie University for years," Kylie said. "They want to be part of us, and we want to be part of the Macquarie University community."
What followed exceeded everyone's expectations.
The charity jersey auction generated $16,500 for MND research, more than double the amount typically raised. One jersey sold for more than $1,500.
"As soon as the game was over, whoever won the auction got to take home that signed jersey, smelly and horrible," Kylie laughed.
The fundraiser brought together researchers, clinicians, players and fans to support a cause affecting one of their own. The relationship has continued beyond game night, with members of the University's MND research community embracing the fundraiser.
"A few of them have reached out and asked for their own personal MND Ice Dogs jerseys," Kylie said. "So, I've ordered them."
Just as meaningful for Kylie was seeing her mother attend the charity round.
"I had to make sure that I had a ramp and hired a deck so that she could actually roll in and see over the boards and watch the game," she said.
"The players loved it. They made her feel like a queen for the night."
Lyn (bottom left) and Kylie (top right) with Kylie's kids at the MND charity round. Photo: Kylie Boyd
Kylie hopes the fundraiser shines a light on the work being done by Professor Rowe and the MND Research Centre.
"The setup they have in their practice is truly amazing. The way they truly care about every single patient ... it's just been phenomenal," she said.
For Kylie, the weekend showed the power of community in supporting people living with MND.
"I had the idea," she said. "But everyone's chipped in to make it work."
Learn more about the work of the MND Research Centre , how they are developing treatments that can extend and improve MND patients' lives, and finding a cure for this devastating disease.
