Fighting breast cancer is a cause close to DeAngelo Williams’ heart. His personal experience with the disease stemmed from the death of his mom and other members of the family, so he has taken it upon himself to help the victims in any way he can.
Williams’ mother, Sandra Hill, lost her decade-long battle with breast cancer at the age of 53. He also lost four aunts to the disease before they turned 50, according to CBS News.
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He has since honored their memory when he founded The DeAngelo Williams Foundation, a nonprofit organization that he championed with the help of Charlotte Radiology and Levine Cancer Institute.
This is dedicated to my mom, my aunts & women everywhere affected by Breast Cancer. I love you. #WeAreInThisTogetherhttps://t.co/bAwaanlfzV
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) October 11, 2015
The former Pittsburg Steelers running back helped the initiative while he was with the Carolina Panthers. He provided free mammograms and follow up care to 53 women (her mother’s age upon her death) in each area in 2015.
“The DeAngelo Williams Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and seek initiatives to support the eradication of breast cancer through preventative care and research. Since its founding in 2006, the foundation has raised an immeasurable amount of awareness and stirred up two-way conversations about breast cancer, both online and offline,” reads the mission statement of the foundation.
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The DeAngelo Williams Foundation has provided over 500 mammograms at hospitals in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jonesboro, Arkansas, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Memphis, Tennessee. Williams does not have plans to expand his reach, according to Faith Hit. He wants to do a free mammogram screening event in every state.
“To be able to help all these women is amazing. This can be life-changing for these women. We are enabling them to get this care that no one should ever be denied or not have access to,” the 36-year-old Williams said.