Atlanta Falcons star visits children’s hospital

Two-time NFL Pro Bowler, NFL All-Pro selection, and Atlanta Falcons star Grady Jarrett and the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research visited the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital to spread holiday cheers to children in the hospital on Dec. 31.

Jarrett is the national spokesperson for the Rally Foundation and together they brought gifts and spent time with nine children in the hospital on New Year’s Eve.

“To come and spread some holiday cheers, it means a lot, but for me personally, giving back is what’s most important,” said Jarrett. “Just seeing the smiles on their faces and just having a small break in their daily grind of what they’re going through day-to-day… I can’t think of anything else better to do.”

The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, according to its website, is a non-profit organization that empowers volunteers across the country to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and ultimately cures.

According to Rally officials, the Rally Foundation has been awarded $35 million in grants since its founding in 2005. Rally has also successfully advocated for and secured more than $223 million from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) give directly to researchers specifically for cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults.

“Our organization started with one simple question from one mother to another whose child was battling cancer, what can I do to help, and that mom’s answer started Rally,” said Adam Cohen, director of events and operations at Rally. “She answered find the best cancer treatment you can and fundraise for it. Since 2005, we have awarded $35 million in childhood cancer research across the country and internationally.”

According to Rally officials, the Rally Foundation has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator and GuideStar and has received independent charities seals of excellence, making it the highest-ranked childhood cancer organization in the world.

To lean more about the Rally Foundation, visit www.rallyfoundation.org.