In support of Huddle for 100 and this year’s Crucial Catch campaign, the NFL teamed up with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Los Angeles Chargers to host the Huddle to Intercept Cancer at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA. The event included a volunteer portion, as well as a VIP experience to honor local cancer patients and survivors for their courageous battle against the disease.
Huddle volunteers assembled care packages for local families impacted by cancer, donated blood, registered to become a bone marrow donor and signed up to be ACS representatives. Volunteers also joined members of the Chargers Rookie Class to create activity books for young patients across the nation as an extension of DoSomething.org’s current NFL Huddle for 100 campaign, Huddle to Brighten Someone’s Day.
The NFL helped the American Cancer Society bring their cancer risk assessment tool, The Defender, to life through various activity stations promoting healthy eating, staying active, skin protection, and more. Volunteers were also urged to take the Defender quiz to learn about the specific ways they can reduce their cancer risk and live a healthier lifestyle.
The Charter Oak Chargers, a local high school football team, were among the volunteers in attendance. The day was particularly special to the team as their coach, Lou Farrar (also known as “Big Lou”), who is currently battling blood cancer, was able to attend alongside his team. The NFL presented Big Lou with two tickets to Super Bowl LIV.
While volunteers spent their time giving back and learning about risk reduction, the VIP experience provided cancer patients and survivors with a series of relaxation and salon services, including manicures, pedicures, makeup application, hair styling, and massages.
The day was also enlivened by a performance from local musician, Jamal Moore, accompanied by the Charger Girls. The event closed with inspiring remarks from Susie Spanos, NFL Foundation board member and breast cancer survivor, and ACS Global Ambassador and human rights legend, Dr. Bob Brown.
Huddle to Intercept Cancer was the fourth National Huddle organized as part of Huddle for 100, the NFL’s initiative to inspire 1 million people to volunteer and give 100 minutes of their time back to their community.
