PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2009, DeSean Jackson and his four brothers grieved the death of their father, Bill, from pancreatic cancer. "I miss him every day. He inspired me to be successful on and off the field," says DeSean, #10, a two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles and one of the league's most dynamic players.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121002/PH84670 )
In an effort to honor his father's memory, and to help families remember the life of a deceased parent, DeSean has teamed up with the nonprofit Mommy's Light and Daddy's Light (http://mommyslight.org/mllo/page.php?118) to make a difference. DeSean and the Philadelphia Eagles have donated a special game day experience for eight families during the course of the 2012 NFL season. DeSean will meet with the kids and their families after each game to talk about the traditions they enjoyed with their loved ones, and the importance of honoring and celebrating their memories.
"I know what a tragedy it is for families who have to deal with the death of a parent," says DeSean. "It's important to keep the memories and traditions alive, and I'm glad to have a chance to bring smiles to these kids' faces."
"It was the first time I ever went to an Eagles game," says David, 10, whose mom died of breast cancer in 2008 and who attended the Sept. 16th game with his father. "We were at the sidelines before the game and watched the Eagles throw passes and practice kicking. I got to go downstairs after the game and took pictures with DeSean. I'm saving one on my cell phone. Our seats were really good and I'm saving my ticket stubs and pass to show my friends."
"DeSean understands how important it is to focus on the healing aspects of remembering the life, and the love that never goes away," says Laura Munts, President of the Board of Directors of Mommy's Light and Daddy's Light. "That's what traditions are all about, and we are grateful to team up with him to support grieving families in this exciting way." The organization's mission is to bring joy and comfort to grieving children and teens by helping them keep alive traditions and simple pleasures they shared with their mothers or fathers. www.mommyslight.org.
About Mommy's Light and Daddy's Light:
Headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania, and founded in 1997, Mommy's Light and Daddy's Light is the nation's sole provider of Tradition Fulfillment(sm) services to children ages 3 to 18, as well as the only bereavement support program that happens in the child's home environment. The organization has fulfilled more than 1,000 traditions, and provides free bereavement education resources to families, healthcare providers, school counselors, bereavement professionals and others. For more information, visit www.mommyslight.org.
Editor's Note: Photos, video, interviews available
Photo: David (left) and DeSean
Contact:
Ellen Langas, NouSoma Communications, Inc.
Office 610-458-1580; Cell 610-256-2946; ellen@nousoma.com
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SOURCE Mommy's Light Lives On Fund