NEW ORLEANS – On Thursday, April 17, current and former Tulane football student-athletes spent the afternoon with players from the New Orleans Saints visiting children in the hematology and oncology unit at Tulane Hospital for Children.

Former Green Wave kicker Stephen Purcell and his younger brother Brandon Purcell – who is currently on the Green Wave roster – visited children and teenagers who have been stricken with a variety of life-threatening illnesses. Joining the Purcell’s on the visit was Green Wave football student-athlete Kenny Welcome and former Tulane standouts and NFL-hopefuls Cairo Santos and Chris Davenport.

New Orleans Saints representatives included running back Khiry Robinson, tight end Josh Hill and former Green Wave and current Saints quarterback Ryan Griffin. The seven brightened the days of many children too sick to either leave the hospital or even their rooms.

The group played games and passed out Tulane and Saints memorabilia to the patients throughout the day. They also signed autographs and posed for pictures with many of the patients and their families.

Stephen Purcell, who was a member of the Tulane football team from 2010-12, has been volunteering his time at the hospital since he first visited patients during preseason football camp with his teammates as a student-athlete in 2011. Since graduating from Tulane with his undergraduate degree in 2012, he completed Master’s degree this past year. The elder Purcell wrote about how he became captivated into volunteering his time and how beneficial it is for both patients and current and former student-athletes to spend time together.

“After arriving at preseason football camp in August 2011, I headed to Tulane Hospital for Children at the Tulane Medical Center with my teammates. I still picture the smiles we brought to the children as we signed autographs or just discussed their daily activities. I was instantly exposed to the health benefits of reaching out to one’s community and providing a source of support for them during a critical time in their health. It was at that moment that I realized that, simply by being Division I athletes, we were role models for the youths in New Orleans. Our mere presence lit up their faces and, for a moment, I could tell they temporarily forgot they were patients bound to the hospital while fighting illnesses.

During the visit, I met the chief of hematology and oncology, Dr. Tammuella Singleton, and after witnessing the impact I made on her patients, I continued to come back weekly. I did not want to have just one interaction with the children, but instead, wanted to form relationships with each child. If I was able to bring any kind of happiness into their lives, even transiently, then I wanted to be around as much as possible to do just that. Additionally, I wanted to learn the clinical side of these children’s histories.

As I participated in rounds while shadowing Dr. Singleton, I had the opportunity to be in the patients’ rooms to learn about what was wrong and what steps and tests were being taken to find the best treatment. The relationships I formed with the patients and physicians inspired me to visit the hospital weekly for the past three years, and these indelible experiences have solidified my choice to apply to medical school this year (I have already been accepted to schools, including Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.).

After graduating from Tulane in 2012 and completing my Master’s degree in 2013, I have continued to volunteer and shadow physicians at the Tulane Hospital for Children while working as a research assistant in the BANGL genetics lab downtown. Recently, I was especially inspired to go above and beyond by our patients at the hospital. I noticed several sickle cell and leukemia patients playing NFL videogames and drawing pictures of New Orleans Saints helmets.

Immediately, I told my brother Brandon about this and together we thought of a way to make these patients’ wishes come true. Thus, we combined our passion for serving others with our love for football and organized a joint Saints/Green Wave visit to the children in the hematology/oncology department.

During our visit, we signed autographs, posed for photos and provided Tulane and Saints memorabilia for the children to wear as they cheer on their two favorite local teams. We spent time with various children and teenagers on the chemotherapy treatment floor, and we also visited the rooms of those patients too sick to leave their beds. Seeing the excitement in the eyes of the patients and their families was truly rewarding. Whether we were playing catch with the Tulane footballs we distributed or giving pompoms to the little girls who always dreamed of becoming cheerleaders, we got to know these kids on a deeper level and were able to form memorable personal connections.

For the physicians, Dr. Singleton and Dr. Rishi Chavan, as well as the nursing staff, this was our way of saying thank you for what they’ve been doing. For the children, we hope that our presence helped to brighten their day because seeing their smiles truly brightened ours. It is our hope that other NCAA teams and professional athletes will acknowledge their ability to be role models and take advantage of that opportunity to serve their communities and bring the same joy and support to those in need.”

The impact made – for both parties involved – can go a long way.

“My pre-med student, Stephen Purcell, rounds with me every week and knows firsthand the daily suffering faced by the children we treat here at Tulane Hospital for Children,” Dr. Singleton said. “He reached out to his football colleagues to do something special for our kids. I had no idea how special it would be.”

“The atmosphere was electric and the patients were beyond thrilled! There was one little 4-year old chronically ill patient that did a dance. He could hardly contain himself, and I had to ask the players to go to his room right away. The smiles and all the happiness generated by the players’ visit were absolutely priceless. This visit meant the world to our little heroes that suffer through so much every day. I can’t say thank you enough. Stephen and each of the players were amazing,” Singleton added.

“It was an extremely powerful visit,” said Griffin, who was a four-year starter for the Green Wave and is entering his second season with the Saints. “The strength and toughness of the kids we visited was inspirational. I look up to those kids now.”

“When Steve told me about his first experience visiting the children a few years ago, I knew I wanted to give back to the community of New Orleans one day,” said Brandon Purcell. “As Division I athletes and NFL players, we have a responsibility to be role models for the youth of our city and this was the perfect opportunity to be a support outlet for the kids and make them smile during this tough time in their lives.”

The mission of the Department of Pediatrics at Tulane Hospital for Children is to advance knowledge in the field of Pediatrics through innovative medical education to students, residents and fellows; cutting edge basic and applied health research; and quality clinical services in general and specialty pediatrics.

The Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Tulane Hospital for Children is a comprehensive program that addresses both the medical and psychosocial needs of children with cancer and hematologic disorders such as sickle cell disease. The staff includes pediatric hematologists/oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, orthopedists, urologists, otolaryngologists, and ophthalmologists. Pediatric social workers help families cope with diagnosis and treatment, and support groups help educate families.

The Tulane pediatric oncology program belongs to the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and they use treatment protocols designed by the physician experts in the group. This is done in order to provide the most up-to-date treatment for children with cancer and to better the treatment in the future.

– See more at: http://www.sportsnola.com/sports/tulane/608310-current-former-green-wave-student-athletes-and-new-orleans-saints-players-bring-smiles-to-tulane-hospital-for-children.html#sthash.Umdytpaa.dpuf

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – With the completion of finals this week on the University of Arkansas campus, Razorback student-athletes, coaches and administrators are set to travel to Central Arkansas on Friday to assist in the relief efforts for those impacted by the recent tornadoes in Mayflower, Vilonia and surrounding communities.

As part of the Razorback Relief efforts, the contingent will travel to a Regional Distribution Center in Conway to assist in the organization and distribution of food to the thousands of Arkansans who lost their homes in the recent storms. The 288,000 square foot warehouse is the base for storing the food that will help supply food to the six distribution points in Faulkner County and surrounding areas.

Following their work at the distribution center, the group will dine locally to help support an area business before traveling to tour some of the communities affected by the devastating storms.

On Tuesday night, Arkansas head football coach Bret Bielema, men’s basketball head coach Mike Anderson and football student-athlete Travis Swanson were in attendance to help support the benefit baseball game between Mayflower and Vilonia at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.

In addition, plans are already being made to return to Mayflower and Vilonia later this summer for additional relief efforts when more Razorback student-athletes are available to participate.

Friday’s trip is being coordinated in conjunction with Ron Harris of A Level Up, an organization that has been involved in providing disaster relief for more than a decade. Transportation for the Razorback Relief trip was donated by Cline Tours with additional trip support provided by Chick-fil-A.

Source: http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/razorback-relief-helping-out-in-faulkner-county/68572/MSIKdNW3JUS38Ost7kKYxw

TINTON FALLS, NJ Seabrook residents love to help their friends and neighbors however they can. They regularly donate their time and talents helping a host of non-profit organizations by providing support for organizations such as the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, SPCA and the United Way of Monmouth County.

In their latest endeavor, residents collected clothing to help Monmouth County residents looking to dress for success through a special program sponsored by a local non-profit aimed at helping those in need.

In a one-day collection by the Seabrook community, approximately 1,000 bags of clothing went to Lunch Break, a Red Bank-based non-profit organization that provides lifes basic necessities for those in need, including food, clothing and fellowship.

The clothing collection is part of Lunch Breaks ongoing initiative called Suited for Success, which is designed to assist individuals in need of work appropriate attire and special occasion outfits.

This years collection is the highest one day total gathered by Seabrook since the Tinton Falls continuing care retirement community began this project and to date, residents have given close to 2,000 bags of clothing to Lunch Break.

The clothing was dropped off at locations throughout Seabrook, but it took a team of young local athletes to finalize the project. Student-athletes from the Monmouth University Athletic Department came to meet residents, gather the goods and deliver them to Lunch Break.

I am consistently astonished by the outpouring of support by our residents and staff who work to make the community-at-large a better place, said Seabrook Executive Director Art Sparks. The clothing that members of the Seabrook family donated will assist those who are seeking to obtain jobs and opportunities that will help them achieve their goals. I thank the residents, Lunch Break and the young athletes from Monmouth University who were involved in making this such a grand endeavor.

Lunch Break Executive Director Gwendolyn Love said, We are incredibly grateful for the enormous generosity and commitment of the Seabrook community and the athletes of Monmouth University. The hundreds of families helped in the clothing department at Lunch Break will have an abundance of quality items to fulfill their needs and especially for their children. We are very blessed to have this wonderful unique partnership of young athletes and retirees who have come together to help those in need.

For the full story please visit: http://www.app.com/viewart/20140510/GETPUBLISHED/405100301/Seabrook-community-collects-record-amount-clothing-Lunch-Break-Red-Bank

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – GW Athletics and its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) were named the recipients of the inaugural Atlantic 10 Conference Assists Challenge on Wednesday, May 7. The Challenge was a yearlong community service initiative that encouraged the reporting of nearly 24,000 service hours by teams from 11 of the 13 A-10 institutions.

GW was declared the champion based on ‘institutional point value,’ which is determined through a formula that considers total community service hours completed, number of student-athletes participating and total number of student-athletes at the institution.

“As an athlete, you have a responsibility to give back to the community because the community is supporting you,” said GW women’s soccer senior and SAAC president Jane Wallis earlier this year. “You’re an ambassador for the school. It’s part of your brand to give back to something bigger than you.”

As a group, GW’s A-10 teams reported 5,130.75 hours of service toward the Assists Challenge, resulting in 29.83 points. Saint Joseph’s ended with 3,896 hours and 18.64 points to finish second and Duquesne had 3,475.5 hours, resulting in 18.34 points and third place.

“As leaders on campus, our SAAC outlined a vision from the beginning of the year to prioritize service to others,” said LifeSills Coordinator Ted Costigan. “GW student-athletes live out the mission of George Washington and have a ‘deeds not words’ attitude that extends across the D.C. community.”

Originating last fall by the Atlantic 10 SAAC, the A-10 Assists Challenge organized community service projects its member teams were engaged in into a fun and competitive activity that increased the visibility and awareness of the A-10 SAAC. The initiative, which accomplishes the A-10 SAAC’s goals of community service engagement and awareness also helps promote both the community service activities the student-athletes complete and the organizations and causes they are assisting. The result was nine of the institutions reported more than 1,000 hours of community service and five of those nine reported more than 2,000 hours. In all, 23,710.25 hours of community service were reported.

“We have amazing student-athletes in the Atlantic 10 — I commend them on having completed nearly 24,000 hours of community service. Volunteerism is an important initiative in this country and the Atlantic 10 Conference is proud to be giving back to each of our communities,” stated Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade.

Source: http://www.gwsports.com/genrel/050814aaa.html

When Football’s Toa Lobendahn signed on to become a part of the Trojan Family, he was unaware of just how far the cardinal and gold ties extend. Five months ago, Lobendahn was sitting in a high school classroom preparing for his final exams. This past Saturday, he found himself in the middle of Nickerson Gardens, the largest housing project west of the Mississippi River.

His task: boost kids up to the basketball hoop for what would otherwise be an impossible slam-dunk.

During the late morning last Saturday, the children of Watts, CA began to gravitate toward Nickerson Recreation Center as word spread that a sports camp featuring Trojan athletes was in session. The visit, organized by Athletes in Action leaders Tommy Van, Chris Willson and Executive Director Michael Sylvester, brought student-athletes from various sports to the nearby community. With hopes of inspiring college aspirations among the youth of Nickerson Gardens, the first annual Trojan Sports Camp introduced positive role models to a sometimes forgotten subset of the Los Angeles area through the binding camaraderie of sport.

Having previously worked with Nickerson Gardens during a summer program, Van and Willson, of Water Polo and Football respectively, felt compelled to make it the site for what they hope will become a lasting vehicle for inspiration.

The idea for an annual sports camp was rooted in the goal of using athlete’s expertise to enrich the lives of the next generation. “I realized the impact we can have on the kids just by being a college athlete,” said Willson.

Hundreds of residents turned out to watch as the youngest of their neighborhood engaged with collegiate athletes in stations for football, baseball, basketball and soccer. At each station, student-athletes led the kids through warm ups and taught them technical skills. Participants looked on and listened intently, quickly picking up each drill and emulating their coaches.

For the athletes involved, the experience went beyond teaching the fundamentals of sport. “I feel just being there and showing them that we care had the greatest impact on the kids. I’m sure they will be able to use some of the fundamentals that we taught them through drills, but what really matters to them is that there are people at USC who love them,” said Willson.

Junior Lainy Barkley, one of the nearly forty volunteers in attendance, considered the day an excellent embodiment of Trojan values. “The Trojan Family doesn’t just look out for each other, but others around them as well. I have seen people seek not only their own good, but work for the happiness and good of others by giving their time, money, and resources,” said Barkley.

Trojan alumni also volunteered for the day. Former baseball stand-out Matt Nestlerode spent the morning patiently pitching at the diamond, making sure that every boy and girl had the opportunity to get a hit and run to first base.

The event brought together USC’s finest student-athletes, both from the current generation and from years past, all for the simple purpose of lifting up members of the extended Trojan community. As his mentee slammed a basketball through the hoop for the first time, Toa Lobendahn became quickly acquainted with his new family.

Source: http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/comm-outreach/recaps/050614aab.html