Former NFL Star DeAngelo Williams Helps Pay For 500 Mammograms In Memory Of His Mom Who Died of Breast Cancer

Oct 14, 2019

The fight against breast cancer might be the most important battle in women’s health today. Like all types of cancer, a key factor in beating breast cancer is early detection and preventative medicine. To that end, a former NFL star recently donated a large sum of money to help women battle this disease.

Retired Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams has felt the effects of breast cancer in his family more than most. The 36-year-old former NFL star lost his mother, Sandra Hill, to breast cancer when she was just 53-years-old.

DeAngelo also lost four of his aunts to breast cancer, all of whom died before the age of 50. To help women secure preventative treatment for breast cancer, Williams recently established the DeAngelo Williams Foundation according to the organization's mission. 

One of the ways the DeAngelo Williams Foundation helps women is by hosting “53 Strong for Sandra,” wherein the group goes to certain locations and pays for 53 mammograms according to Today.

DeAngelo settled on the number 53 because it was his mother’s age when she passed away. DeAngelo hopes to eventually host such events in all 50 states.

DeAngelo started the program in 2015 and has thus far paid for 500 mammograms. Speaking with Today, DeAngelo says, "To be able to help all these women is amazing. This can be life-changing for these women."

Continuing, the retired football star says that access to preventative care changes patients’ lives. Risalyn Williams, DeAngelo’s wife and head of the Foundation, says that it is their goal to make sure that no one fights breast cancer alone.

In addition to his work with the Foundation, DeAngelo has used his position as a football star to raise breast cancer awareness in a multitude of ways.

In 2009, DeAngelo was one of the most vocal proponents in the NFL’s efforts to give players the option to wear pink cleats in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In 2015, DeAngelo also tried to get permission from the NFL to wear a pink jersey for the season, a request that was eventually denied by the league according to Today.

What do you think of DeAngelo’s efforts to raise breast cancer awareness and give women access to early detection? Are you doing anything special for Breast Cancer Awareness Month?