Chad Greenway Leads the Way for Cancer Research
Chad Greenway’s name is forever etched in Minnesota Vikings lore. As the team’s fourth all-time leading tackler and three-time defensive MVP, he hangs up his helmet and shoulder pads as one of Minnesota’s most beloved professional athletes.
Greenway leaves behind an unmatched legacy, both on and off the field. His 11-year career—spent entirely in purple and gold—began on a small farm in South Dakota, where he continues to find inspiration in life after football.
[quote_center]”Not only your small town, not only your community but also your family. That’s something I always think about every day in the decisions I make. I truly want to make them proud”[/quote_center]
Through his charitable foundation, Lead the Way, Greenway is bridging the gap between his time with the Vikings and his passion for enriching the lives of those in need. Whether you cheered for Greenway on Sundays or donated through More Than Words, his work in the area of cancer research is something we can all be proud of.
Greenway established Lead the Way with a singular focus in 2008: to provide seriously ill and physically challenged children throughout the Twin Cities with daily support and life-changing experiences. Since then, he’s touched countless lives through programs like Chad’s Locker, the TendHER Heart Luncheon, and Field of Dreams.
Today, he’s building on that progress with a new partnership, one that aims to raise at least $52,000 for cancer research. Launched on March 7 at the St. Baldrick’s Funny Bone event in Des Moines, Iowa, Greenway is raising money through Lead the Way to be donated to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. If the campaign reaches its $52,000 goal, Greenway will shave his head to stand in solidarity with kids battling cancer.
[quote_center]“My foundation’s programs—Chad’s Locker, TendHER Heart Luncheon, Field of Dreams—they aim to provide support to seriously ill and physically challenged children. This new partnership with St. Baldrick’s is about finding a cure for childhood cancers, giving survivors the long, healthy lives they deserve.”[/quote_center]
To donate to the #GoBald52 Campaign, CLICK HERE
The campaign runs through May 1st, and all proceeds will benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Every dollar raised will be used toward research grants that focus on all the main types of childhood cancers. “Through my foundation’s work, talking to mothers and visiting hospitals, I know that cancer knows no age, cancer knows no boundaries, cancer affects everyone.”
Greenway’s father lost his battle with cancer in 2014, and to this day remains one of Chad’s greatest inspirations. “My dad, seeing him fight through cancer for two years and having him watch my career, now I know he’s looking down on me,” he said during his retirement speech. “He’s most amazing man in the world, hands down. I’m so proud to carry the name that he gave me and hold it to a high standard.”
To date, Greenway’s Lead the Way programs have positively impacted more than 375,000 lives in the Twin Cities and show no signs of slowing down. As Greenway told Brad Manson following his final Vikings press conference:
[quote_center]”I hope you know you’re not done working with me and our foundation for the next 15 to 20 years.”[/quote_center]
Follow Lead the Way on Twitter and visit the Foundation’s official website to learn how you can join the #GoBald52 campaign.
Show your support for Lead The Way by purchasing a #GoBald52 shirt; sales will be donated to the Foundation’s charitable efforts.