FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (November 19, 2010) - As part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's season-long "Kick Cancer" initiative, and in partnership with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Patriots will promote childhood cancer awareness at the November 21 game at Gillette Stadium versus the Indianapolis Colts.
Twenty pediatric cancer patients from Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Care will attend the game and ceremonially kick cancer during halftime. Dana Farber's Blum Family Resource Center Van will be in Patriot Place Plaza during pregame to distribute educational materials and Dana-Farber will have tables in the stadium concourses with information. Dana-Farber will also hand out 10,000 rally towels to fans throughout the stadium.
The Kraft family has a long-standing relationship with Dana-Farber, including the establishment of the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
"We are so blessed to live in this region where we have institutions like the Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center," said Patriots Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft. "Having a child diagnosed with cancer is one of the worst things that could befall a family. It's important for us all to continue to support Dana-Farber's efforts to save children's lives."
"Every year, more than 10,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer, news that no family wants to hear," says Lisa Diller, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center and director of the Perini Family Survivors Center and the David B. Perini, Jr. Quality of Life Clinic for Cancer Survivors at the Dana-Farber. "Fortunately, advances in research and care have dramatically increased survival rates for children with cancer, and we are better addressing treatment side-effects to help patients live full, healthy lives."
During the game, Patriots running back Kevin Faulk will appear in a public service announcement on the stadium's video screens to raise awareness about childhood cancer. He joins linebackers Gary Guyton and Rob Ninkovich, kicker Stephen Gostkowski and punter Zoltan Mesko as Patriots players who have filmed public service announcements asking Patriots fans to help "Kick Cancer."
The Patriots' "Kick Cancer" initiative will continue throughout the season as the Patriots aim to raise awareness about cancer through messages to fans and the distribution of educational material at home games in partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital - the founding hospitals of Partners HealthCare - and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
For more information about the "Kick Cancer" initiative, including resources and information about cancer prevention and screening, visit www.patriots.com/community.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION "KICK CANCER" GAME SCHEDULE:
November 21 - Indianapolis Colts - Childhood Cancer Awareness
December 6 - New York Jets - Colon Cancer Awareness
December 19 - Green Bay Packers - Prostate Cancer Awareness
January 2 - Miami Dolphins - Kick Cancer Celebration with Survivors and Caregivers
ABOUT DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (www.dana-farber.org) is a principal teaching affiliate of the Harvard Medical School and is among the leading cancer research and care centers in the United States. It is a founding member of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC), designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. It provides adult cancer care with Brigham and Women's Hospital as Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center and it provides pediatric care with Children's Hospital Boston as Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center. Dana-Farber is the top ranked cancer center in New England, according to U.S. News & World Report, and one of the largest recipients among independent hospitals of National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health grant funding.
ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit entity created by the Kraft family to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England. This support comes in the form of direct grants, and the donation of signed memorabilia to a variety of charitable causes, and from Patriots players who offer their direct support by appearing at charity functions throughout the year.The Foundation's primary goal is to support programs that aid the youth and families of New England while underscoring the Kraft family's deep commitment to philanthropic activities in the community. Over the past 16 years, the Foundation has made millions of dollars in donations to thousands of non-profit organizations throughout New England and has partnered with numerous community groups, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, the United Way, the Greater Boston Food Bank and a host of other New England charities. The Foundation actively supports non-profit groups focusing on health, education, youth fitness and community enrichment while also implementing its own programs in those areas of focus. In 2010, The Foundation's "Kick Cancer" initiative aims to awareness about cancer through messages to fans and the distribution of educational material at home games in partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital - the founding hospitals of Partners HealthCare - and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
