Herzlich Wins Disney Spirit Award
Walt Disney World is the happiest place on Earth. They're responsible for putting smiles of millions of faces every day at their Disney theme parks and even at home with their movies and other merchandise. But the Disney Co. is also heavily involved in giving back to the community. Earlier in the year we wrote about the Give a Day Get a Day program, where one day of volunteer service earns you free entry into one of the Disney parks like Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Disney participates in groups like the Children's Miracle Network and the Make-a-Wish Foundation, but they also have an award to recognize people that have made a difference in the world through charity work—the Disney Spirit Award.
This award is given to college football’s most inspirational players. Usually this person has to participate in charity work along with being a star athlete, but this year’s recipient brings a sad twist to the story. Mark Herzlich, a linebacker on the Boston College team, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in 2008, a rare cancer that affects bone or soft tissue. The devastating news brought the entire college community together, with charity efforts in Herzlich’s name being done in colleges from Virginia Tech to Notre Dame.
Herzlich also took on the battle to fight and beat cancer, and it was that brave effort that earned him the Disney Spirit Award. Herzlich raised $120,000 for cancer related charities, earning the respect of his entire community and the college football world.
“The Disney Spirit Award is an award that means more to me than any award based on statistics and on-the-field achievements,” Herzlich said. “I have had to battle a deadly rare disease this past year and, along with beating the disease, I was fortunate to be able to help others along the way. To be recognized with this award is an honor and I hope that it shows people around the world that there is hope and that it will encourage them to continue to battle.”
We’re glad to say Herzlich gets a Disney movie ending: he is currently cancer free. You can watch him receive the award live from the Walt Disney World Resort on ESPN December 10th.
This award is given to college football’s most inspirational players. Usually this person has to participate in charity work along with being a star athlete, but this year’s recipient brings a sad twist to the story. Mark Herzlich, a linebacker on the Boston College team, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in 2008, a rare cancer that affects bone or soft tissue. The devastating news brought the entire college community together, with charity efforts in Herzlich’s name being done in colleges from Virginia Tech to Notre Dame.
Herzlich also took on the battle to fight and beat cancer, and it was that brave effort that earned him the Disney Spirit Award. Herzlich raised $120,000 for cancer related charities, earning the respect of his entire community and the college football world.
“The Disney Spirit Award is an award that means more to me than any award based on statistics and on-the-field achievements,” Herzlich said. “I have had to battle a deadly rare disease this past year and, along with beating the disease, I was fortunate to be able to help others along the way. To be recognized with this award is an honor and I hope that it shows people around the world that there is hope and that it will encourage them to continue to battle.”
We’re glad to say Herzlich gets a Disney movie ending: he is currently cancer free. You can watch him receive the award live from the Walt Disney World Resort on ESPN December 10th.
posted by The Blogster at
2:04 PM
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