November 4, 2025
Utica, NY – As the Comets prepared for Muzzys and Mullets on Friday, we had the privilege of hearing the stories of two individuals who have bravely battled serious illness and are integral members of the Comets community.
Allison Eastman, 31 years old and born in Deerfield, NY, was diagnosed at just two months old with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and skin and is characterized by the growth of non-cancerous tumors in the nervous system. Her life consisted of frequent doctor visits, MRIs and surgeries. She had her first surgery at the age of 12 to remove a tumor from her shoulder area. The disease has also plagued Allison with epilepsy and learning disabilities, common symptoms of neurofibromatosis, but that didn’t stop her from graduating from high school and earning a degree in human services in college.
Recently, Allison underwent invasive and intensive surgery to remove a tumor from her spinal cord, which left her confined to a wheelchair for the time being. After spending ten days in the hospital and another ten days in rehab, she is back home and blessed with the love and support of her family and friends, whom she calls her army.
Prior to this most recent surgery, Allison enjoyed being able to practice some of her favorite physical activities, such as Judo. After surgery, however, life has been more limited, as it is difficult to walk more than short distances and stand for long periods of time.
Despite the increased limitations and pain she experiences daily, Allison continues to fight as she has done all her life. One of her main motivations, she says, is hockey. Allison joined the Comets community four years ago after attending her first game with an old high school friend and season ticket holder and was immediately hooked, so much so that she named her cat after the Comets’ mascot, Naudie. Allison has been a season ticket holder herself for three years and has also turned her mother into a fan.
While Allison enjoys the fast pace of games and the roar of the home crowd after big goals, going to Comets games has taken on a deeper meaning for her. “I don’t focus too much on the losses because for me, hockey is about the community. If you go to hockey games to win, you’re going to face a lot of disappointments in life. I’ve made a lot of friends within the hockey community and we do things together outside of going to Comets games, which I think is the best part,” she said. Some of the activities she enjoys with other Comets fans include bowling and attending concerts.
Allison’s positive outlook amid everything she has been through is inspiring. Her message to others with neurofibromatosis, which applies to everyone, is to live life to the fullest, whether it’s skydiving or driving to another state to watch your favorite hockey team play. She added that community involvement is essential. “Be a part of something so that you have something to fight for and something to look forward to so you don’t get caught up in what’s going on. You need a reason to follow. If you don’t have a reason to follow, whatever you’re going through is going to be much harder. For me, fighting to get better so I can go to Comets games again is my reason to fight.” Not only was Allison at the Comets’ game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last Saturday, but she also had the honor of performing the ceremonial puck drop, undoubtedly a bright spot in her most recent uphill battle.
Hillary Pruitt, a 33-year-old Utica resident, began her battle in 2021 when she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. After successful surgery and several months of chemotherapy and radiation, she was declared cancer-free. However, last June, the Pruitt family received the unfortunate news that Hillary’s breast cancer had returned and had spread to one of her lungs and parts of her brain.
Faced with this difficult diagnosis, Hillary has rededicated herself to the fight against her cancer, and her husband Austin was kind enough to share what life has been like for Hillary and the Pruitt family. “It’s going to take everything you have to get through it. The first year for her cancer in 2021 was a long one. We thought it was over, but recently found out it wasn’t.”
Austin added that Hillary has not been able to work and that her energy levels vary from day to day. Sometimes she can participate in what is happening in the family, and some days she is forced to rest. Austin said life would be a lot harder without their support system. “Our family and friends have been incredible. Every day people reach out to us, offering to bring us food and just being willing to take everything off our plate.”
Family means everything to Hillary, and her 20-month-old son Alexander has given her more and more strength to fight. Her message to other women fighting the same battle is to put your head down and take it one day at a time because it’s a marathon and not a sprint.
The Pruitt’s have been Comets season ticket holders for four years. Hillary grew up in Virginia and although she didn’t play hockey or have a strong passion for it for most of her life, she fell in love with the sport when Austin took her to her first Comets game seven years ago.
Like Allison Eastman, Hillary and Austin have built strong bonds with the Comets community, which keeps them coming back to the Adirondack Bank Center. Even during her recent fight, Hillary looks forward to attending every Comets game she can, and it’s part of what pushed her to fight.
Hillary and her family will perform the ceremonial puck drop during Muzzys and Mullets Night this Friday, November 7eand when asked what the game means to the Pruitt family, Austin said, “It’s incredible that the organization is participating in it. It means a lot to know that other people care about what you do and that you’re not alone.”
It’s people like Allison and Hillary who make the Comets community truly special, and we wish them strength as they continue their individual battles. The Comets will host the Belleville Senators on Muzzys and Mullets Night this Friday at 7 p.m. For tickets or more information, visit uticacomets.com/tickets or call 315-790-9070.
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