ASHWAUBENON, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers, Bellin Health and Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation kicked off the Packers vs. Cancer initiative Tuesday morning.
Melody Dalebroux is a breast cancer survivor. She recently finished her final treatment at Bellin Health Cancer Team Facility in Ashwaubenon.
Dalebroux got the chance to meet with two Packers players — Elgton Jenkins and Jaire Alexander — on Tuesday as part of the team’s effort to fight cancer. She said she was scared when she was first diagnosed a year and a half ago.
“Shocked, terrified,” Dalebroux said. “There was a lot of hard, hard times for sure. But with the help of a lot of positive people around me, it helped get me through.”
Dalebroux said she has gone through chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. On Tuesday, she took part in a tradition at Bellin Health: Placing her name on the survivor tree.
“Obviously, they saved my life. ... They've been great,” Dalebroux said. “A lot of tears, a lot of emotion the last week and half for sure. I thank all my family, my friends, my amazing boyfriend who has been there the whole way, and I feel very blessed.”
As for those who are entering their on battle with cancer, Dalebroux said it's important to stay positive.
“There might be a little hiccups along the way but stay positive. … They can do a hell of a lot these days," she said.
Packers players Jenkins and Alexander toured the Bellin facility in Ashwaubenon and met with Dalebroux and other patients. Offensive lineman Jenkins has lost family members to cancer.
“Just seeing them battling the disease, it’s affecting my family,” Jenkins said. “Obviously, they're not here today, but I feel like with my platform and the things that I've got going on, I can bring light to the situation.”
The Packers announced Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings will highlight the campaign, which runs through the month of October. The team is also selling special winter knitted hats at the Packers Pro Shop to support the fight against cancer.
Five dollars of every purchase will benefit the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation.