This is the original group of elite athletes who recognized the value in this project from the very beginning. Their support and personal stories have turned this effort into a reality! Below is a sneak peak at this impressive team, check back soon for more about their individual, inspirational stories and the work they are involved in!
Chaunte Lowe
Sport: Track and Field – High Jump
Diagnosis: Breast Cancer
Four-time Olympian, 2008 Bronze Medalist, American record holder
Mark Herzlich
Sport: Football
Diagnosis: Ewings Sarcoma
Boston College and NY Giants Linebacker, Super Bowl Champion
Kikkan Randall
Sport: Cross-Country Skiing
Diagnosis: Breast Cancer
Five-time Olympian, 2018 Gold Medalist, US National Champion x 17
Rob Long
Sport: Football
Diagnosis: Brain Cancer
Former Syracuse Punter, now Executive Director of Uplifting Athletes
Edna Campbell
Sport: Basketball
Diagnosis: Breast Cancer
WNBA player x 7 years, 1998 Olympic Gold Medal
Jacob Gibb
Sport: Volleyball
Diagnosis: Testicular Cancer
AVP Pro beach volleyball player. Three-time Olympian
Jessica Breland
Sport: Basketball
Diagnosis: Hodgkins Lymphoma
UNC Tarheel, WNBA All-Star
Samuel Grewe
Sport: Track and Field – High Jump
Diagnosis: Osteosarcoma
World Championship Gold x 3, 2016 Silver Medalist at Paralympian Games
Jenn Hanks
Sport: Mountain Biking
Diagnosis: Breast Cancer x 2
Competes in multiday stage races, such as the seven-day TransRockies Challenge in Canada and the TransAlp in Europe
Joshua Paschal
Sport: Football
Diagnosis: Malignant Melanoma
University of Kentucky Linebacker
Niki Nolte
Sport: Swimming and Diving
Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Penn State University Swimming and Diving
Casey O’Brien
Sport: Football
Diagnosis: Osteosarcoma
University of Minnesota University Kicker
Kyla Nelson
Sport: Basketball
Diagnosis: Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Appendix
Florida International University Guard (transfer from the University of Pittsburgh)
Merril Hoge
Sport: Football
Diagnosis: Hodgkins Lymphoma
Former NFL Running Back (Pittsburgh, Chicago) and ESPN Analyst
Tiana Mangakahia
Sport: Basketball
Diagnosis: Breast Cancer
Syracuse Orange Point Guard; Naismith Award Nominee
Joshua Bidwell
Sport: Football
Diagnosis: Testicular Cancer
Former NFL Punter (12 years!): Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Washington
Jamie Whitmore
Sport: Paracycling
Diagnosis: Spindle Cell Sarcoma
XTERRA Triathlete World Champion, Paralympian Gold Medalist
We would also like to thank some honorary team members who volunteered their time and experience to get us started on the right track:
Adam Fraser : Executive Director of Laureus – Sport For Good
Greg Skewis : artist and designer who developed our logo
Harrie Bakst, Anne Cognetti and the team at WCPG
Helle Aaenesen and the team with AKTIV Against Cancer