Luke’s Locker resources are distributed by medical social workers at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital to provide families in treatment for pediatric cancer with:
The P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative is a public charity that relies entirely on individual donations and sponsorships to provide critical support and programs for families facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Choose to have your donation stay local, or be used where it’s most needed.
Buffalo Bills Tight End Dawson Knox, a native of Brentwood, Tennessee, 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. In 2021, our Locker program which serves as a vehicle to provide families with critical daily essentials such as gas and grocery cards, parking and meal vouchers was named “Dawson’s Locker” as a tribute to his impact.
On August 17th, 2022, Dawson unexpectedly lost his younger brother Luke at 22 years of age. Like Dawson, Luke played college football at Ole Miss and had just transferred to Florida International University. Like his older brother, Luke was cherished deeply for his strong faith, and his kind and caring nature.
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 totaled over $200,000. Most donations were made in the amount of $16.88, which reflected both Dawson and Luke’s football numbers.
P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative is privileged to use a portion of those proceeds to establish a counterpart to Dawson’s Locker program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
“Luke’s Locker ” will lift burdens every day for families facing pediatric cancer, providing peace, comfort and support that are core values of the Knox family . It also signifies the powerful impact that a community can make when galvanizing for good. This is Luke’s Legacy.
Our Locker Programs offer direct support to families who need it most. Your donations make this possible – here’s why we hope you’ll donate to our Locker Programs to help families in need:
Each of our Locker Programs is focused on a city that’s important to the sponsor. When you donate to a Locker Program, your money stays in that community, helping families that you might see in the grocery store, at the park, or at a school event.
For families who need to visit the hospital regularly, the costs of parking, meals in the cafeteria, and gas for the drives to and from can add significant costs. Our Locker Programs tackle these costly burdens directly, offering relief from the stress and costs associated with hospital visits.
Our Locker Programs partner directly with hospital social workers to ensure resources go to families who need them. Each locker is kept stocked with gift cards, vouchers and coupons that can be handed out at the discretion of those who see and work with these families every day.
Our Locker Programs are funded 100% by donations and sponsorships. Each individual Locker Program is sponsored by a P.U.N.T. Superstar – often current or former NFL or Buffalo Bills players looking to give back to their home communities!
There are almost always hidden costs and challenges associated with a pediatric cancer diagnosis that may not be apparent from the outside looking in. One parent often stops working to help facilitate treatment and an income is instantly gone or wanes. Bills pile up quickly; nearly half of families facing pediatric cancer end up filing for medical bankruptcy.
When you donate to a specific Locker Program (Buffalo/Knoxville/Nashville), your money gets to work right within that community to lift burdens each and every day for families fighting pediatric cancer.
