Dear Cincinnati Bengals – Coming Together For a Greater Purpose
Austin Munoz –Moorpark Football Senior Night
Dear Cincinnati Bengals,
Thank you.
As a parent of a childhood cancer survivor, I praise your recent decisions surrounding Devon Still and his daughter, Leah, who is fighting stage 4 neuroblastoma. No one knows the darkness of those words, “Your child has cancer,” than parents who have heard them. No one knows the hopelessness, the despair, the panic, or the chaos of that moment than parents who have lived it.
_________________________________________
“Dealing with cancer is like a whole different world.”
~Devon Still
_________________________________________
What you have chosen to do is a mark of excellence. Your decision to retain Devon— even when his mind and heart were quite understandably elsewhere— is top-notch. Your organization’s decisions demonstrate the strength of character, compassion, and integrity of those in your front office. If I could, I would hug each and every one of you. As I did, you would see the tears in my eyes that are now rolling down my cheeks. It’s hard for me to believe that not everyone makes choices like you have. It touches me deep into my soul to see you have chosen humanity over financial gain. I believe you will see this is a wise choice as well in the not-so-long-future. Devon will become an even better player than he has ever been. Once you have witnessed your child fight for their life, you become a warrior too… one who will move the heavens and Earth to accomplish your goals.
Cincinnati Bengals, you are one class act.
And you haven’t stopped there. Not only have you retained Devon, but you have gone an entire football field farther by stepping up to raise money for pediatric cancer research! This is a gift that will save children’s lives!
Leah will be in my prayers. Devon, his wife, and his family will all be in my prayers. The entire Bengal organization will be in my prayers of gratitude.
Thank you for kicking childhood cancer out of Paul Brown Stadium!
May many other organizations follow the lead you have taken. You have set a fine example of coming together for a greater purpose!
With sincere thanks and squishy hugs,
Lee Marchiano
Momcologist & Childhood Cancer Advocate
“It’s not all about competition. It’s not all about what you can do on the field, but we come together for a greater purpose.”
~Devon Still
Photo shared from Twitter @dev_Still71
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Help the Bengals SACK PEDIATRIC CANCER
https://www.pldgit.com/campaign/768450939739702307
Devon Still jersey– $15 goes to pediatric cancer research. (Over $400,000 raised in just four days!)
http://www.cincyshirts.com/cincyshirts//still-strong-devon-still-shirt.html
Melinda Marchiano 