June 8-10, 2005 - New York Giants Carlos Emmons hosts third annual 51 Ways for Charity Weekend and teams-up with Buffalo Bills Takeo Spikes to bring smiles to children with cancer.
New York Giants Linebacker Carlos Emmons’ charitable foundation, 51 Ways Inc. held its 3rd annual “51 Ways for Charity Weekend” in Atlanta, GA, this past weekend with a full schedule of fundraising events for the AFLAC Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Emory. 51 Ways Inc., founded in 2003 by Emmons and Buffalo Bills Linebacker Takeo Spikes, supports families of children that have been diagnosed with cancer and/or blood disorders through financial, spiritual and physical resources (i.e. gifts, and personal home or hospital visits). Both Emmons and Spikes wear the #51 as their jersey number, reside in Atlanta during the off season, and have both unfortunately lost family members to cancer, therefore this cause hits close to “home” for each player in every sense of the word.
This year's schedule of events kicked off with a hospital visit to the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). The AFLAC Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service provides children a brighter future through advanced medical treatment, family-centered care and innovative research. As one of the leading childhood cancer, hematology, and blood and marrow programs in the country, the AFLAC Cancer Center cares for infants, children, adolescents and young adults with cancer and bleeding disorders.
In addition to Emmons and Spikes, other players who participated in the visit to CHOA included former Giant Marcellus Rivers (Houston Texans), Jamal Lewis (Baltimore Ravens), and Mario Haggan (Buffalo Bills).
Giants LB Carlos Emmons poses with a young fan.
The players spent time with the children, signed autographs, and distributed gift bags to the family members who were also present during the visit. The remainder of the weekend consisted of a series of events including evening soirees and galas, meet and greet sessions with the players, and a pool party for which an admission fee was charged to raise additional funds to be donated to CHOA.
The efforts of 51 Ways Inc. brought a multitude of celebrities and athletes to the city of Atlanta from around the country to support the weekend’s festivities and to raise awareness about cancer and the efforts of CHOA around the City of Atlanta. The list of attendees of the various events included NFL players Ray Buchanan, Dorsey Levens, Terrell Owens (Philadelphia Eagles), Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins), Carlos Rogers (Washington Redskins), Ronnie Brown (Miami Dolphins), Edgerrin James (Indianapolis Colts), Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Bobby Taylor (Cleveland Browns), Willie Whitehead (New Orleans Saints), Junior Rosegreen (Seattle Seahawks), Ahmad Carroll (Green Bay Packers), Jonathan "Freddie" Smith (Buffalo Bills), Greg Favors (Jacksonville Jaguars), Thomas Davis (Carolina Panthers), Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons), Peerless Price (Atlanta Falcons), Willie Anderson (Cincinnati Bengals), Osi Umenyiora (New York Giants), just to name a few.
