(NDG Wire) Tough Dallas Cowboys’ linebacker Bradie James (#56) will likely just smile if you notice he’s sporting pink cleats and gloves in October. It’s part of a “think pink” breast cancer awareness campaign in which he’s teaming up with Methodist Dallas Health System for an awareness, education, and screening program. His familiar face is being seen in conjunction with the Methodist partnership online at www.methodisthealthsystem.org/pink, and other sites as well as billboards, TV, print and radio.
Thanks to the partnership with the Bradie James Foundation 56 and Methodist Health System Foundation, breast cancer patients and their loved ones have a new resource in their support system. During October – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – James joins Methodist leaders in formally opening the new Bradie James Breast Cancer Resource Center located at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. James contributed a total of $71,000 from his foundation for key funding for the campaign, including $50,000 for a new mobile mammography unit, $15,000 for the new resource center, and $6,000 for a new support group – all in partnership with Methodist.
“We are thankful for Mr. James’ heartfelt dedication to advocating on behalf of breast cancer detection and treatment,” said April Box Chamberlain, president and CEO of Methodist Health System Foundation. “Methodist is proud to be part of an active partnership with his Foundation 56 to create this resource center and provide other services for our community.”
The center was announced last spring and officially opens Oct. 12 to provide breast cancer patients with access to on-site and online educational information and resources, including a private setting for one-on-one consultations. Resource center services include an American Cancer Society volunteer who will also provide personalized assistance with fitting wigs, scarves, hats, and prosthetics. The center will also serve as the meeting place for a breast cancer support group, launching this month. The project also includes purchase of new mobile mammography unit to expand outreach efforts into the community.
The well-known Cowboys linebacker lost his mother to breast cancer while he was a student at Louisiana State University and has since become a passionate advocate in the fight against breast cancer through the foundation he established to honor her life.
In discussing his foundation’s work and the role of the new resource center, James says that he wants to help provide more resources to both the patients going through breast cancer treatment, and to their family and friends. He explains that he and his family faced the disease and treatment mostly on their own during his mother’s illness and he wants to help other families have more readily available opportunities for support.
James and Methodist partnered last October in a luncheon education event and mammogram sessions for 27 women who needed financial aid to obtain the potentially lifesaving screenings. The event is being repeated this year, and is under development into a potentially annual project.
