Survivor at Every Stadium: Atlanta Falcons

December 02, 2018

Survivor at Every Stadium: Atlanta Falcons
Survivor at Every Stadium: Atlanta Falcons
Survivor at Every Stadium: Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta, GA. Emory Winship Cancer Institute lung cancer survivor Brandi Bryant and Bill Westlake represented Team Draft at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Sunday. Brandi, Bill and their guests watched the Atlanta Falcons take on the Baltimore Ravens. #RiseUp #tacklinglungcancer #ATL

 A year ago today, I had no clue that lung cancer was lurking inside of my body. I knew something was wrong. I’d experienced months of a small but barely nagging cough, and more recently, shortness of breath that prompted my visit to the doctor. By the end of January 2018, I’d get the shocking news that I, a 39yo mother of young children and a non-smoker had advanced stage lung cancer (later classified as Stage 4.)  I was blessed enough to have a friend immediately connect me with Team Draft and Chris instantly got the wheels in motion for me to meet other survivors. I went from being completely desperate to having hope that I, like them, may have a chance to beat the statistics. Meeting survivors and seeing all the work that Chris and others like him are doing every. single. day to fight for funding equity and lung cancer awareness was eye-opening to  say the least. 
Today I’m doing well and with targeted therapy and prayers, currently have no evidence of disease in my body! The battle is never-ending though. Lung cancer is a beast that likes to come back, so we cannot give up and need to keep pushing for more research to keep us alive and save other people from going through this in the future. Hope is key.  ~ Brandi Bryant

In 2012, we launched our inaugural Team Draft Survivor Series initiative on CNN during a nationally-televised prime time special focusing on lung cancer and our National Campaign to Change the Face of Lung Cancer. Our Survivor at Every Stadium, leverages our connections with the NFL, its teams and players with our relationships with many of the top cancer centers in the country. As a part of our International Campaign, the games allow us to celebrate our survivors, raise awareness, and give hope to those battling the disease, as well as shine a light on the important work being done at cancer research and treatment centers around the country.

Team Draft’s goals are to create a unique experience for participating survivors and to raise awareness on a local, national, and international level by using each game and each survivor’s story to weave a broader narrative about the state of cancer and the hope that now exists for those battling the disease.

 

We had a great time attending the Falcons game and representing Team Draft for a Survivor in Every Stadium. It was nice to be able to take a break from our usual routine and do something a little different and fun with the kids. I’m looking forward to being a Survivor in the Stadium for the next 20 years! #gimme20 #teamdraft #survivorineverystadium ~ Brandi Baker

Team Draft’s fifth annual Lung Cancer Survivors Super Bowl Challenge kicked off on November 1, 2018. This unique fund raising challenge gives lung cancer survivors the opportunity to raise funds for public awareness and cutting-edge research that is giving new hope to those battling this often misunderstood disease. The top three fundraisers, announced on December 31, 2018, will earn trips to Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta, GA, the 2019 NFL Pro Bowl in Orlando, FL and the Taste of the NFL in Atlanta, GA. The survivors have an opportunity to share their powerful stories with key individuals with influence from across the country. #RepYourCity #RepYourCancerCenter #RepYourLCOrganization 

**The lung cancer survivors that raise over $5,000 will be able to designated a beneficiary (Cancer Center or LC Organization) that will receive 80% of their raised funds (-fees) and the remaining 20% will support Team Draft’s mission to change the face of lung cancer.

Special thanks to the Atlanta Falcons, Antwan Treadway, Randy Hawkins, Winship Cancer Institute, the NFL and all of our Team Draft supporters for helping make this event possible.

Donate now to Support the National Campaign to Change the Face of Lung Cancer!