Center Garrett Bradbury has helped the Baller Dream Foundation's mission of providing emotional and financial support to children and young adults battling cancer.
He's recruited a friend — Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold — to support the cause.
Bradbury and Darnold are offering unique golf experiences for people to bid on through online auctions, and the money raised will support Baller Dream Foundation. Bradbury will host playing partners at Silverleaf Country Club in Arizona, and Darnold will host at El Niguel in Southern California.
Bradbury has "a good friend of a friend" who works for Baller Dream Foundation, which was created by Frank DeBlasi, who survived a diagnosis of testicular cancer at age 29.
Bradbury has long supported people going through pediatric cancer, but the feelings have intensified now that he has an 11-month-old daughter. He also appreciates that Baller Dream Foundation extends its support to people up to age 29.
"Because I think a big point of theirs is when people turn 18, then they're just in this huge population of other patients," Bradbury said. "They really walk with the families and kind of help them out throughout the whole process. There's great people that run the foundation, and they're doing some awesome things, so anything I can do to help them, I'm all for it."
Darnold's support of childhood cancer patients goes back to his junior year of high school when he was introduced to NEGU (Never Ever Give Up) — inspired by Jessie Rees.
"We did a camp with them, and a bunch of kids came out and they got to catch touchdowns from us," Darnold said. "It was special. That kind of left a mark on me, to see how happy they were and how much joy we can add to their life."
Darnold has appreciated learning about Baller Dream Foundation, which has also hosted a charity poker tournament attended by Bradbury the past couple of years in Las Vegas (and last year Vikings tackle Brian O'Neill).
"They spread joy," Darnold said. "I think that's the biggest thing because cancer in itself, or trying to find the research to be able to cure cancer, is so hard, and there's people that are dedicating their life to find that cure, so while they're doing that, we're going to help spread that joy and help make their lives a little better."
