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Chicago, IL. University of Chicago Cancer Center lung cancer Ivy Elkins and her husband Ben represented Team Draft at Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon. The Elkins’ watched the Chicago Bears lose a close game to the, defending NFC Champions, Atlanta Falcons with Team Draft co-founder and former Chicago Bear, Chris Draft. My husband Ben and I are honored to represent Team Draft at Soldier Field during Chicago Bears Alumni Weekend. As a stage IV lung cancer survivor diagnosed over 3 1/2 years ago and a lifelong non-smoker, I fully support Team Draft’s mission to increase awareness of lung cancer through the Survivor at Every Stadium initiative. It’s so important for the public to realize that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer and there is a huge need for increased research funding in lung cancer. I am living a good, active life with lung cancer and this is only possible due to recent advances in lung cancer treatments and the excellent care I receive at the University of Chicago. ~ Ivy Elkins In 2012, we, Team Draft, launched our inaugural 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. “My husband Ben & I had an amazing time attending the Bears Alumni Weekend game at Soldier Field this past weekend as the guest of Chris Draft. If someone had told me when I was first diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer that nearly 4 years later, I would be feeling great and meeting famous football players at Soldier Field, I wouldn’t have believed them! There are many different faces of lung cancer and as a young mom of two teenaged boys, I am one of them. I am surviving because I have benefited from new advances in lung cancer research and we need increased funding for more of these life-extending treatments for all patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer.” ~ Ivy Elkins Special thanks to the Chicago Bears, University of Chicago Cancer Center, WSIL, Hannah Gebresilassie 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!
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Awareness • Early Detection • Treatment • Research • Survivorship
