Chicago Bears Players Shave their Heads in Support of Young Cancer Patient

CHICAGO, May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For cancer survivor and Chicago Bears' punter, Adam Podlesh, working with cancer charities to raise cancer awareness is a cause that is near and dear to his heart. Diagnosed in 2010 with salivary gland cancer, Podlesh underwent surgery a month later to have a malignant tumor removed.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130529/NY22609-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130529/NY22609-b )

"I don't think that I would be as involved with cancer charities and events as I am now if I hadn't been diagnosed with cancer," Podlesh said. "After going through remission and being cancer free, I've really made it my purpose to try to do whatever I can to help the fight against cancer."

Through an introduction from "Phil's Friends," an organization that provides support and comfort to those who are fighting cancer, Podlesh met six-year-old recently-diagnosed cancer patient, Gavin Waterman who is currently undergoing treatment for Ewings Sarcoma.  The Chicago hospital Gavin is staying at, Loyola University Medical Center, is four hours from his home and separates him from his two older brothers, Kaleb, age 9, and Dylan, age 7. His family is in great financial need as his parents are unable to work in order to be with their son.

After spending an afternoon watching movies and talking sports in Waterman's hospital room, Podlesh decided to organize an event where he and some of his teammates would have their heads shaved to raise money for Gavin's family and raise cancer awareness.

"We had been throwing out ideas on what we could do to help them out and we decided on raising money shaving heads for Gavin, which is applicable because with his chemotherapy he'll be losing his hair in the next week or two," Podlesh said.

On Wednesday, May 22, Podlesh along with fellow Bears players Robbie Gould, Blake Costanzo, James Anderson, Austin Signor and Cory Brandon met at the Walter Payton Center to have their heads shaved. Members of the Waterman family and Phil Zielke, founder of Phil's Friends, also participated.

"It was a special day not just for the Waterman family, but for the players as well. The head shave which took place at the Walter Payton Center was a blast. The other players not only took time out of their filled schedules, but spent extra time talking, and playing around with Gavin," Podlesh said. 

With a goal of raising $10,000, $5,000 has been donated so far. The Chicago Bears have also donated 20 different sports memorabilia items ranging from hats, t-shirts and posters that will be autographed by all the players who participated in the event and raffled off at a later date. Each $25 donation represents one entry—like a virtual raffle ticket.

"The parents are very nice people and of good moral fiber. The family is obviously in tough times, and they simply are trying to care for Gavin as best they can. I hope that with the experiences and relationships made through this event, along with the money raised, we can give the family a leg up in that effort," Podlesh said.

To make a donation to support Waterman's family, please visit http://bit.ly/14inwZZ.

SOURCE Chicago Bears