Bradie James, NFL Player, Tackles Breast Cancer In Honor Of His Mother

NFL player Bradie James is honoring his mother's legacy by helping women with breast cancer.

The Dallas Cowboys linebacker lost his mother to the disease in 2001, CBS News reports.

When both of his parents fell ill, the family wasn't able to afford both medical bills. Bradie James' mother Etta sacrificed her treatment so that her husband could get treated for his kidney disease.

Bradie told CBS:

"She chose to put herself on the back burner so everyone else could live," James said. "I guess that's the way she felt she could live -- live vicariously through everyone else."

Now, James' nonprofit, Foundation 56, brings free mammograms and other support to women. Mobile mammogram centers bring uninsured and low-income women health care they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.

According to the foundation's website:

"I want to serve as a voice to encourage men -- husbands, fathers, brothers and other men -- to send a message to women," James said. That message, he said, is "a message of hope, of strength and a message of life, a message that breast cancer doesn't just affect women, it affects the entire family."

WATCH:

Fans of James' charity work can support his efforts by making a donation to Foundation 56.

Comments

[Patt Mosley]

01:50 PM on 05/01/2011

Sometimes it takes a life-changing event to alter one's perspective..I was diagnosed at age 37 with a 2 1/2 year old son. After chemo, radiation, 7 surgeries (they found another tumor unrelated to my breast cancer) later, I am in remission but my view on life has definitely changed. When your mortality is tested and threatened, you definitely think differently. But cancer is cancer and having care readily at hand is important and critical - even though I had great insurance, we are still today, paying off the debt we incurred during my 2 years of treatment. There was not a lot of "aid" we could receive, and financially, we had to take the hit in order for me to live basically. So I applaud James' effort...every little bit counts and no one should ever have to choose between treatment to live against whether one can afford that treatment.

[jellyj]

11:26 AM on 04/03/2011

So sad that his family was put in this hideous predicament. As wonderful as it is that Bradie James is stepping up, I believe that as a society we are morally obligated to help all those who need medical care within our country. Plenty of other countries, some much less affluent that us, are able to do it. Why not us?

[texlib2112]

12:04 PM on 03/29/2011

What an inspirational story and man I am glad he is Cowboy. I think Dez could learn a few things from his teammate.

[Davest]

09:26 AM on 03/29/2011

James is a standout person and a great player for the Cowboys.

I'm glad to see a positive story about a Cowboys player.

[Nicole Dixson]

03:52 PM on 03/28/2011

Wow, that really tugs at the heartstrings. Great job. You're mom would be so proud.

[pjordan52]

02:02 PM on 03/28/2011

Thank God for breast cancer survivors. My mother had breast cancer when she was 45 and survived until she was 80 eventually dieing of heart failure. Everyone I have known in my life who had breast cancer, and I'm 58, has survived, thankfully.

Please, let us focus on those cancers where life expectancy isn't so good. Breast cancer, though personally tragic has a 90% survival rate.

I am a ten year survivor of lung cancer. Lung cancer has a 10% survival rate. Lung cancer kills more people than all other cancers combined. I have never personally met anyone who has lived past the five year threshold for being considered cured of lung cancer. Not my father, who died 2 years after diagnosis, or my step-father who died within one year of diagnosis.

The only reason I survived is because I had health insurance and part of my annual exam was a routine chest x-ray. Because I had insurance, which cost me $40 out of pocket, I believe in annual physicals.

The only way to beat cancer,personally speaking, is early detection. Until we have universal health care where annual physicals are accessible, inexpensive, and covered, cancer can never be honestly addressed.

That being said, if you want to continue to read "uplifting" stories of someone supporting the fight against cancer, do nothing. However, if you want to save someone's life, or more importantly your own, support universal health care with affordable annual physicals.

[simplemee]

01:49 PM on 03/28/2011

That story brought a tear to my eyes. Way to go Bradie James. Your mother must have been a really wonderful woman to produce and inspire you so.

[The Albany Kid]

01:41 PM on 03/28/2011

Wonderful effort by this young brother...I love reading stories such as this.

I have $50 that says Faux News won't report a single word about his good deeds.

[bosd]

01:35 PM on 03/28/2011

Note to HuffPo: Great story, but I wish you guys had done this story back in October of 2010.

http://www.arlington.org/sports_recreation/cowboys_football/cowboysnews/james_mission

[SoutheastBeast]

01:10 PM on 03/28/2011

"When both of his parents fell ill, the family wasn't able to afford both medical bills. Bradie James' mother Etta sacrificed her treatment so that her husband could get treated for his kidney disease."

How is it possible that in the richest country in the history of humanity, families have to choose which parent will live, because they can't afford medical treatment for both? Are these tax cuts for rich people really worth this?

[saskatoonie]

04:29 AM on 03/29/2011

No, I wish I could give you all the freedom from worry that I have as a citizen of Canada. Your system is unfair, people pay a terrible price for being ill.

[jourdankr]

01:06 PM on 03/28/2011

Very moving. Good Job, Cowboy!

[JustinP213]

09:45 AM on 03/28/2011

Kudos to him.

[Peace Walker]

02:24 AM on 03/28/2011

Maybe his involvement will help everyone to reconsider de-funding Planned Parenthood. Noble young man.

[BVictor1]

02:18 AM on 03/28/2011

This is certainly a positive and unselfish thing that he's doing.

[thereisonlyoneparty]

02:53 AM on 03/28/2011

It is a good thing, but it is actually a bit selfish.  He is only supporting this cause because of a personal connection to it.  Had his mother died of something else his foundation would have a different goal.

Not that what he is doing is bad.  But he has very specific motives for his actions.

[Winthorpe]

03:12 AM on 03/28/2011

selfish (adj.)

1. concerned with your own interests, needs and wishes while ignoring those of others.

This isn't selfish, it's noble.

[JustinP213]

09:45 AM on 03/28/2011

I think you need a dictionary.

[Chestergolfer]

01:45 PM on 03/28/2011

For once...