On Saturday, October 4, the Colgate Chapter of Uplifting Athletes hosted their second annual Ependymoma Awareness Game. 7-year-old ependymoma survivor Colin Hayward was once again Colgate’s special guest.
This time Colin and his family led the team onto the turf at Andy Kerr Stadium.
7-year-old ependymoma patient Colin Hayward led the @ColgateFB team onto the field today: pic.twitter.com/OlzGLbE0j6
— Uplifting Athletes (@UpliftingAth) October 4, 2014
“We’ve been fortunate to be involved with a lot of sporting events over the years,” said Colin’s father, Ian. “But running out onto the field with the team was one of the most exciting things we’ve ever been a part of.”
Ependymoma is a rare form of cancer of the brain and spinal cord. Diagnosed at age 2, Colin has been completely paralyzed for much of his life. But after years of treatment, Colin was healthy enough to spend Saturday running around the sidelines and interacting with the Colgate football players.
Every time Colin saw Jimmy DeCicco, the former president of the Colgate Chapter, Colin greeted him with a big hug.
Here’s Colin with his close friend, former Colgate chapter president Jimmy DeCicco, from before the game: pic.twitter.com/ypDME9igVo — Uplifting Athletes (@UpliftingAth) October 4, 2014
On the field at halftime, Ian was joined by his wife Tamiko and his sons Colin and Aiden.
“With the collaboration that Colgate has had with Uplifting Athletes, you help to give a kid like Colin a fighting chance,” said Ian to the crowd. “We are so very lucky to have the support of these fans and a great football team like Colgate.”
Colgate is currently hosting a season-long Touchdown Pledge Drive to raise research funds and awareness for ependymoma. To pledge a donation for every touchdown they score, please visit pldgit.com/colgate.
