Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin, and members of the New York Giants staff.Photo:Courtesy of The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund
Courtesy of The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund
There are times when we all must overcome adversity. You cannot be resilient unless you’ve had to deal with an obstacle, setback, or surprise. Adversity and resiliency are inseparable companions. External noise can erode a team’s confidence and camaraderie, but it’s during these times that the small gestures among team members become profoundly meaningful. We know this through our journey to capture two Super Bowl rings together, something we could not have achieved without a team of individuals who were as equally committed to this goal as we were to each other.
The concept of team is truly beautiful and extends far beyond the confines of a locker room and football field. A lot of football fans may not realize this, but the individuals who run the cafeteria for sports franchises are some of the most important people on a team. They keep us fueled. There was one chef named Rachael who had charge of kitchen at Quest Diagnostic Training Center who we can never thank enough. Rachael used to bring peanut butter cookies right up to the coaches’ offices. It seems like such a little thing, but it meant so much. We still love those cookies, and she will forever be a part of our Super Bowl winning team.
That’s because the people you lean on, who celebrate with you, go through the highs and lows with you, take care of you and vice versa — that’s your team. And it is in this spirit thatTackle Kids Cancer— the philanthropic initiative of Hackensack Meridian HealthFoundation to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and patient care programs at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health Children’s Cancer Institute — and theTom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundationare teaming up to place a spotlight on families tackling childhood cancer and the people on their teams.
Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin.Elsa – Getty Images Sport
Unfortunately, families confronting a pediatric cancer diagnosis often face the perfect storm of hard times. If the diagnosis wasn’t devastating enough, cancer is expensive. The average cost of a cancer drug can run a family$200,000 a year,which is quite a hefty sum when you consider the national median household income is just over$70,000. In fact, according to a survey the Jay fund conducted of families it is currently assisting, 87% said their income had gone down amid treatment and hospital visits while 52% had to quit their job to become a full-time caregiver and 67% had to take unpaid leave.
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Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin.Elsa/Getty
Between now and the end of September, simply post a photo with the hashtag #ShowUsYourTeam and tag @tcjayfund and @tacklekidscancr. Throughout the month we will be sharing photos of some of the patients we are helping along with their teams. So, get off the sidelines during childhood cancer awareness month and show usyourteam!
For more information on the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation visittcjayfund.org. For more information on Tackle Kids Cancer, visittacklekidscancer.org.
source: people.com
