Football league tackles cancer

Brett Gray, all decked out in his Naperville Chargers football jersey, lives the life of most 10-year-old boys.

That includes football on weekends.

It's hard for him to imagine kids his age sick with cancer.

"He has said before that he feels bad for them," said Brett's mom Lisa. "It's a scary thing."

Gray and the rest of the Chargers had an eye-opening experience Sunday -- and an opportunity to give back.

The first-year youth football program, a member of the Pop Warner league, held "Chargers Tackling Cancer" day at North Central College.

The Chargers hosted two families from Children's Memorial Hospital, and raised about $4,500 to be donated toward cancer-related funding at the hospital.

"We're very pleased with the first time having the event, very surprised at the amount of money we were able to raise," said Chris Roy, whose son Nicholas plays on the Chargers.

With calls and e-mails to various family members, Brett himself raised $1,100.

"We've always taught him what goes around comes around and you have to help people," Lisa said.

Brett's grandma and Lisa's mom Darlene Ringbloom has cancer, so as Lisa said "it kind of hits close to home."

"It makes it even better when it's kids you're helping out," Lisa said. "It's a way for him to help out, and show appreciation for what he has."

"We have special people in our lives that have been touched by it. It touches everybody," Roy said. "You realize how fortunate your boys are to be out there playing, and other kids are less fortunate."

Children's Memorial Hospital serves more than 103,000 patients from its 13 Chicago-area locations.

Fifty percent of those patients are either under-insured, uninsured or on Medicaid, making charitable contributions crucial.

"We are always making sure that we have the most current technology," said Stephanie Maletsky of the Circle of Friends, the organization that assists in planning fundraisers for Children's Memorial. "The funds raised here will go toward technology, staff -- whatever that particular division of the hospital needs."

The event also featured a field goal kicking contest, and raffles giving away prizes from sports memorabilia to tickets to the Oprah Winfrey show.

"This is something the kids could relate to," Roy said. It really touched their hearts, too. The way they raised money, the way they wanted to help out in any way. I think they were proud to be Chargers today."