P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative Announces #LukesLegacy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Buffalo, NY– Buffalo Bills Tight End Dawson Knox has been a powerful game-changer for the Western New York based public charity P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative since his rookie year in 2019. His firm commitment to helping families who must face a pediatric cancer diagnosis has strengthened the organization’s mission and impact.
On August 17, 2022, Dawson unexpectedly lost his younger brother Luke at 22 years of age. As a show of honor and respect for both Dawson and Luke, Buffalo Bills fans (also known as #BillsMafia) created a movement on social media to provide support to P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative which resulted in $230,000 from 9050 donations. Most contributions were made in the amount of $16.88 to reflect both Dawson and Luke’s football numbers.
P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative is privileged to share plans for stewardship of these incredible resources to include:
- “Helping Hands” Endowment-Part of the proceeds will be used to establish P.U.N.T.’s first ever endowment for their critical “Helping Hands” which is a financial safety net for families as they face the devastating ripple effects of pediatric cancer. Payments for housing, utilities, medical expenses, and more are made directly by P.U.N.T. based on emergency requests from hospital social workers and P.U.N.T. is heavily replied upon for this assistance
- Last Responder Fund –P.U.N.T.’s “Ultimate Compassion” program is dedicated to serving those who have lost their child to cancer from assisting with funeral expenses, to coordinating year-round therapeutic support to bring families who have suffered a loss together to offer hope and healing. The “Last Responder Fund” will be created to ensure that bereavement support remains a priority for families grappling with worst case scenario. P.U.N.T. will strive to be a community beacon of light for grief education and training which is a much-needed service in our community.
- Luke’s Locker—P.U.N.T.’s Locker program runs at Oishei Children’s Hospital, Roswell Park and Essential Care/Hospice in WNY as a vehicle to distribute daily essentials to lift burdens for parents and caregivers such as gas and grocery cards and hospital parking, and cafeteria vouchers. It was named in honor of Dawson Knox last season in recognition of his significant contributions to P.U.N.T. Knowing the generosity of WNY has no bounds, 15 % of proceeds raised in memory of Luke Knox will be used to incept a counterpart to Dawson’s Locker program to run at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Dawson and Luke’s hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. “Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt sees approximately 300 new patients with cancer each year,” said Debra Friedman, MD, who holds the E. Bronson Ingram Chair of Pediatric Oncology and is director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Monroe Carell. “Our Pediatric Cancer Program takes a team approach, caring for the whole child and the whole family. This gift from P.U.N.T. to establish Luke’s Locker will provide vital support for childhood cancer patients while also honoring Luke’s legacy of kindness and compassion.”
P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative, along with Dawson Knox and his family, express their appreciation for the outpouring of support and honor in a time of profound sorrow. Through compassion turned to action, countless lives will be lifted for years to come in times of need for one of the worst plights a family can endure. This teamwork is #Luke’sLegacy.
P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) that provides families in Western New York facing pediatric cancer with program that offer financial, practical, and emotional support from diagnosis to recovery and bereavement. P.U.N.T. operates with collaboration and guidance from community hospital partners to ensure that every dollar raised gets channeled where it is most needed.
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Contact:
Gwen Mysiak
Executive Director
(716) 200-3458