This month has been pretty special.  September is National Children’s Cancer Awareness Month and in honor of Ryan Kennedy, Detroit Lions’ captain and starting linebacker, Stephen Tulloch partnered with Ink Detroit to help raise funding and awareness to this cause.

Back in May, Stephen and myself went to Clarkston to visit Ryan and his family just weeks before the celebrity softball game that Stephen and teammate, Nate Burleson were preparing to host.  Ryan suffered from brain cancer and had opted out of having any more surgeries.  After spending time with Ryan and his wonderful family, Stephen and I were on our way back home yet the thought of Ryan continued to be on our mind and he was most definitely in our hearts.

Days later, Ryan passed, he was only 10 years old.  Both Stephen and I were heartbroken for this family and Stephen was determined to help Ryan’s mother, Kim, spread awareness and raise funds for children’s cancer research, a cause that is very important to families across the country.

Personally, I feel so lucky to have met Ryan, Kim and their whole family, which by the way are the NICEST group of people you will ever meet (and of course Lions fans so we share common interests)!  Kim and I are working together with Stephen and local company, Ink Detroit this month to help raise funding for local non-profit, Angels of Hope.

For more information check out this great article by Date Birkett:

http://www.freep.com/article/20120907/SPORTS01/309070139/detroit-lions-stephen-tulloch-dying-child

To order bracelets and shirts from Ink Detroit visit www.InkDetroit.com