Written by Don Grossnickle of Arlington Heights, "Unbreakable Resilience" is raising money for the Gridiron Alliance charity by telling the stories of eight young athletes who suffered catastrophic injuries.

Courtesy of Gridiron Alliance

Shown here at a Chicago Bears fundraiser for the Gridiron Alliance in 2011, charity founder Don Grossnickle, center, chats with fellow board member Steve Herbst, right, of Palatine and Bears broadcaster Jeff Joniak, left. Grossnickle, 64, has spent 13 years as an unwavering advocate for young athletes with catastrophic injuries.

Daily Herald File Photo

Bears All-Pro cornerback Charles Tillman visits with Steve Herbst and his son, Jack, of Palatine. Injured in a football practice 32 years ago, Herbst is on the board of the Gridiron Alliance charity, which advocates for athletes with catastrophic injuries.

Deborah Nelson | Staff Photographer

Newly named Gridiron Alliance chairman Kenneth Jennings, left, watches a recent Bears practice with fellow board member Steve Herbst of Palatine. The Gridiron Alliance charity advocates for athletes with catastrophic injuries.

Deborah Nelson | Staff Photographer

Gridiron Alliance board member Steve Herbst and his son, Jack, of Palatine.

Deborah Nelson | Staff Photographer

Meeting Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, left, and seeing his support for athletes with catastrophic injuries spurred Arlington Heights resident Deborah Nelson, executive director of the Gridiron Alliance charity, to buy an Urlacher jersey for her 7-year-old son, Wyatt.

Deborah Nelson | Staff Photographer

Bears cornerback Tim Jennings visits with Steve Herbst and his son, Jack, of Palatine. Injured in a football practice 32 years ago, Herbst is on the board of the Gridiron Alliance charity, which advocates for athletes with catastrophic injuries.

Deborah Nelson | Staff Photographer

Paralyzed during a football practice as a Palatine High School freshman, Steve Herbst, 46, shares a moment with his son, Jack, while watching a recent Bears practice. A board member for the Gridiron Alliance, which advocates for athletes with catastrophic injuries, Herbst is featured in a new book titled "Unbreakable Resilience."

Deborah Nelson | Staff Photographer