Kathy Weber is Heading to the NFL Pro Bowl
January 31, 2016
Denver, CO. Lung cancer survivor Kathy Weber was the first runner-up in Team Draft's Lung Cancer Survivors Super Bowl Challenge. Kathy and her family will spend a few days in Hawaii and watch the NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 31, 2016.
"I am humbled and grateful to the IASLC, the Team Draft 2016 Super Bowl Challenge, and all those who sponsored me with donations. As the second place fundraiser, my family and I have won a trip to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii! Amazing!"
The Super Bowl Challenge participants were part of a friendly competition, with the top fundraisers awarded trips to Super Bowl 50, the NFL Pro-Bowl and the Taste of the NFL. Kathy and the other winners, announced on January 4, 2016, will have an opportunity to share their powerful stories with key individuals with influence from across the country.
"I joined the IASLC and Team Draft Foundation to increase awareness and research funding for lung cancer patients like me, young and non-smokers, not to win a prize. After attending the IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer in Denver, I was shocked to learn the overall survival rate for lung cancer has been stagnant for almost 50 years and the 5 year survival rate is 19%. While most lung cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages, my cancer was caught early. After a right upper lobectomy, I am cancer free at my 18 month check-up.
The survivors that raise over $1,000 can designate a beneficiary for 50% of their funds raised. Kathy has designated the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) as her beneficary.
"My goal is to continue my involvement in the IASLC supporting their research commitment and join Team Draft’s quest to ‘change the face of lung cancer’." Kathy Weber
Team Draft was founded by NFL veteran Linebacker Chris Draft and his late wife Keasha, an engineer and Clemson graduate who died of lung cancer at the age of 38.
“Super Bowl and Pro Bowl week are a fitting time to spotlight the crusade to change the face of lung cancer. The level of commitment, drive and passion required to make it this far parallels the efforts required to get lung cancer research to the next level,” said Chris Draft who co-founded Team Draft with his late wife Keasha to change the face of lung cancer.
Keasha and Chris Draft had attended the Super Bowl the year of her diagnosis, fulfilling one of her lifelong dreams. The memory of that Super Bowl trip served as part of the inspiration for The Super Bowl Challenge. “It takes a team to tackle lung cancer, and the Super Bowl Challenge has expanded this amazing team. Keasha’s legacy of hope lives on through the Super Bowl Challenge team and we are grateful to all who have contributed and continue to contribute to lung cancer awareness, research, treatment and patient advocacy efforts, and “said Draft. “We are excited to have the opportunity to take this year’s Super Bowl Challenge winners and their stories to the Super Bowl the Pro-Bowl and the Taste of the NFL.”
The Pro Bowl returns to Hawaii's Aloha Stadium on January 31, 2016. It's Team Rice against Team Irvin squaring off in the game that brings you closer to the players through fun insider access. It will again serve as the signature event to kick off Super Bowl week.
About Team Draft
Team Draft, an initiative of the Chris Draft Family Foundation, is dedicated to raising lung cancer awareness and increasing badly needed research funding by shattering the misconception that lung cancer is a “smoker’s disease.” Despite the fact that between 20,000 and 30,000 people who have never smoked are diagnosed with lung cancer in the United States each year, the smoking stigma negatively impacts lung cancer research funding, which pales in comparison to funding for other major cancers and diseases. Team Draft is committed to educating people about the true nature of lung cancer, raising funds for research and improving the lives of those affected by lung cancer. To learn more about Team Draft, share your story, or make a donation, please visit http://www.teamdraft.org.