Join us as we speak to Alex Okafor, a defensive end with the Kansas City Chiefs. Alex lost his mother to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2020. In this episode, Alex talks about his mother’s short battle with AML and the difficulties his family faced receiving this diagnosis during a global pandemic. Following his mother’s death, Alex found a new determination to make his mother proud and continue her legacy in fighting against racial injustice and creating a better society for the black community.

*Since the taping of this podcast, Alex has launched the Alex Okafor Family Foundation, which is raising funds for the LLS Scholarship for Blood Cancer Survivors Program. In addition, in honor of Mother’s Day, Alex wrote a touching letter to his mother, titled A Letter to My Mother for The Players Tribune website.

Mentioned on this episode:

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia
• Kansas City Star Article
• Kingdom United Reading Program
• Alex Okafor Family Foundation and Scholarship
• A Letter to My Mother

Additional LLS Support Resources:

• Information Specialists 
• Clinical Trial Support Center
• Free telephone/web patient programs 
• Free booklets 
• Financial support 
• Online chats 
• Caregiver support 
• LLS Community 
• Support groups 
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program Free Nutrition Consultations

Support for this episode provided by Genentech, Inc. and Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

The post Tragedy to Legacy: NFL Player Continues The Fight first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.