A Survivor at Every College Stadium: Alabama Crimson Tide

Tuscaloosa, AL. UAB lung cancer survivors Ronnie Miller and Stan Graves represented Team Draft at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. The survivors watched University of Alabama Crimson Tide dominate the visiting Charleston Southern Buccaneers. #Tacklinglungcancer #RollTide #LCAM15

Stan Graves

“I appreciate being asked by the Chris Draft Family Foundation to participate for Team Draft and attend the Alabama game as a survivor of lung cancer, and giving the chance to help to promote the education of lung cancer that can help those that have lung cancer continue to live a good and prosperous life with the support of friends, family, prayer and a positive attitude. If I can play a role in helping, then I am pleased to do so.”

I was diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Kinase (ALK) in June 2014. In May of 2014, I had a cough that got progressively worse. My ENT had me get with my primary care doctor to have an X-ray. The X-ray showed that I had a 2 1/3’ mass on my upper left lobe. I had surgery to remove the upper left lobe and three lymph nodes August 1, 2014 by Dr. Robert Cerfolio. My Oncologist is Dr. Francisco Robert Vizcarrando. I had four chemotherapy sessions starting in September 2014 and ended in November 2014. After the surgery, a blood clot was discovered in my pulmonary vein and I was on a blood thinner (Enoxaparin) until February/March 2015. I started Xalkori in February 2015.

Ronnie Miller

Thanks for this opportunity to attend the game at the University of Alabama. With… the help of The Chrisd Draft Family Foundation people like myself can help get the word out that yes we can live with Lung Cancer.

In 2012, we, Team Draft, launched our inaugural Survivor at Every Stadium 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.

Leveraging our connections with the NFL and the NCAA, its teams and players and our relationships with many of the top cancer centers in the country, As part of our National Campaign, this celebration of survivorship raises lung cancer awareness, gives hope to those battling the disease, and shines 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.

Special thanks to the University of Alabama, University of Alabama WR coach Keary Colbert, UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and our Team Draft supporters for helping make this experience possible.

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