ACC FOOTBALL TEAMS SUPPORT EWING’S SARCOMA RESEARCH IN HONOR OF #94, BOSTON COLLEGE LINEBACKER MARK HERZLICH

In December, 2008, Boston College linebacker #94 Mark Herzlich was named the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. In May of 2009, he disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a malignant tumor most often found in bone or soft tissue. After his diagnosis, Mark began an aggressive treatment and vowed to beat the cancer and return to the football field someday. On September 24, it was reported that Mark’s CT scan was clean, and the MRI was good. Congratulations Mark!

There are quite a few heartwarming accounts of how different communities have come together in response to the news of Mark’s diagnosis. Two such communities are his own beloved Boston College and ACC football.

On July 30, in honor of Mark, Boston College, together with Uplifting Athletes, held the 1st annual Lift for Life to support Ewing’s Sarcoma research. Uplifting Athletes is a group of Boston College football players working together to raise awareness and funds for rare diseases that attract little attention and, as a result, research for them may not be well funded. As college football student-athletes, they believe they are in a position to make a difference. Lift for Life and the Uplifting Athletes raised over $15,000 that day to support Ewing’s sarcoma research.

Not only are Boston College and its own football players showing support for Mark Herzlich, but so are other ACC football teams.

Clemson and Virginia Tech’s football teams followed suit and have raised, and are continuing to raise, money in support of research for this disease. From a blog post at Herznation, we learned the following:

Before kickoff on September 19, the Clemson Tigers presented Mark Herzlich with a check for $5,000 to aid in the advancement of Ewing’s Sarcoma research. This was an amazing gesture of love and respect for an amazing player and it looks like that trend will continue with Virginia Tech. HD reports that Virginia Tech will be selling “Team United” wristbands leading up to the October 10th showdown with Boston College. VT is hoping to raise $5,094 and present Mark with the check before the game. All money will be going to Uplifting Athletes.

Individuals or groups wishing to purchase a minimum of 100 “Team United” wrist bands can do so by emailing the Virginia Tech Football Office at [email protected]. Checks are to be made out to Uplifting Athletes and no credit card orders will be taken.

It would be great to see this trend continue throughout the ACC. Hats off to the ACC and its players, coaches and schools!

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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