Month: December 2016

Minnesota Viking, Xavier Rhodes, Delivers Holiday Cheer To Children At University Of Minnesota Mason Children’s Hospital

IMG_2832Minnesota Viking Xavier Rhodes brought holiday cheer the morning of December, 19, 2016, to children at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s hospital. After personally shopping at a local Target retailer and selecting a variety of gifts, Rhodes hand delivered gifts to children currently staying in the hospital for treatment.

The donation event event began with a shopping trip at Target (NE Minneapolis) where a University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialist guided shopping through the toy and electronics aisles. Rhodes purchased a variety of toys for kids and teens. With toys in tow, Rhodes hosted a toy drive at the hospital and was greatly appreciative of the incredible support of Vikings fans that brought gifts to share with children at the hospital this holiday season.

While at the hospital, Rhodes met with Dr. Margaret MacMillan to learn about the incredible research efforts of the University of Minnesota Fanconi Anemia Comprehensive Care Clinic at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. He was able to see the incredible work of the hospital team and Kidz1stFund by meeting kids courageously fighting FA. Not only did this event bring holiday cheer to children at the hospital, it was an inspiring day for Rhodes.

“These kids are my heroes,” said Rhodes. “They inspire me more than they even know!”

DETAILS: Rhodes’ toy drive provided holiday gifts for many children in the hospital, including those with Fanconi Anemia (FA), a disease close to Rhodes. The son of Jimbo Fisher, Rhodes’ former Florida State University Head Football Coach, was diagnosed with FA which lead Fisher to begin a foundation called Kidz1stFund. Rhodes has continued to support his former coach and Kidz1stFund while playing in the NFL. The Kidz1stFund helps directly fund research efforts at the Masonic Children’s Hospital, the No. 1 research facility for FA in the country.

“We are family, both and and off the field and when I heard that coach Fisher was starting a foundation, I knew I wanted to support him and his family in any way I could,” said Rhodes.

About Xavier Rhodes:

Xavier Rhodes was born and raised in Miami, Florida where he attended Miami Norland High School. He played football from 2009-2012 at Florida State University before being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. Xavier is in his 4th season with the Vikings and continues to be a key contributor to the team’s success. As a focused and goal oriented individual, his determination continues off the field through his charity involvement with Kidz1stFund. During the off-season Xavier resides in his hometown of Miami, FL.

About University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital:

University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital brings the power of academic medicine to bear so that we can transform the health of our community for the better. We provide a broad range of pediatric specialty programs, from surgery, imaging and neonatal and pediatric intensive care to cardiac and oncology (cancer care) services and blood and marrow and organ transplantation. Our clinical staff work with patients and apply innovative research from the University of Minnesota to create and further medical breakthroughs. This has led to several medical firsts, including the first successful pediatric blood marrow transplant, infant heart transplant in Minnesota and cochlear ear implant surgery for a child. Through teamwork and collaboration, we respectfully address the physical, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs of pediatric patients and their families.

About Kidz1stFund:

Kidz1stFund was established by Jimbo Fisher and Candi Fisher after their younger son, Ethan, was diagnosed with Fanconi anemia, a rare blood disease affecting about 1 in 131,000 births annually. The Fishers launched their public battle against FA in the hopes of improving treatment options, raising national awareness of the disease, and helping to fund research that will lead to a cure. The Fishers created a fund at the University of Minnesota Foundation titled “Kidz1stFund for Fanconi Anemia Research” in which all proceeds are donated to support FA research as directed by Drs. Margaret MacMillan and John Wagner, co – directors of the University of Minnesota Fanconi Anemia Comprehensive Care Clinic. This fund supports FA research focused on the development of safer treatments for FA patients with marrow failure, myelodysplastic syndrome, and cancer as well as the identification of new therapeutic approaches for preventing and treating cancers particular to FA.

NFL Star Xavier Rhodes Fights Fanconi Anemia with Custom Kidz1stFund Cleats During Thursday Night Football

Minneapolis, Minn. – Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 – As the Minnesota Vikings prepare to face the top ranked Cowboys tonight, Vikings Star Xavier Rhodes has teamed up with his former college football coach, FSU’s Jimbo Fisher, to tackle another huge rival off the field: Fanconi anemia. During the high-stakes Thursday Night Football game, Xavier will sport and XavierCleatslater auction off a special pair of Kidz1stFund cleats – raising awareness and funds for the rare blood disorder with no cure plaguing Fisher’s younger son, Ethan.

Along with Xavier, athletes across the NFL are honoring the charity of their choice on their feet as part of #MyCauseMyCleats Campaign in Week 13.

“I was playing under Coach Fisher when Ethan was diagnosed with FA,” said Rhodes. “I saw firsthand how it affected kids and families. Because we are family, on and off the field, I knew I wanted to support the Fisher’s and this cause in any way I could.”

Coach Jimbo and Candi Fisher are equally moved by Xavier’s gesture, which is part of a larger partnership with FSU’s former star defensive back.

Xavier Rhodes and Ethan Fisher
Xavier Rhodes and Ethan Fisher

“I can’t tell you how much it means to me to see former players like Xavier step up to support my family and make a difference in our fight for a cure,” Fisher said. “Xavier is a phenomenal man and I am so grateful for his kindness and support. He reached out to us and told us he wanted to know how he could make a difference and I was blown away by his commitment. The Vikings and Minnesota are blessed to have someone that gives back to the community, but that is just who he is. I look forward to seeing him continue to excel on and off the football field.”

Rhodes is in his fourth season with the Vikings and is already proving to be a force on the gridiron – recently named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He is taking that same competitive approach in the fight against Fanconi anemia.

Funds raised will ultimately be donated to University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, which is the nation’s leading research center for the disease and located only a few miles away from Rhodes’ US Bank Stadium locker. Xavier is also planning a Kidz1stFund weekend in December with the hospital to benefit the Fanconi Anemia Comprehensive Care Program.

XavierandFAVinny
Xavier Rhodes and Coach Fisher with Vinny Vitiritto, an FA Fighter

Since its inception nearly five years ago, Kidz1stFund has donated $3.5 million directly to the research center.

While all Fanconi anemia patients will ultimately need a bone marrow transplant to prolong life, research advancements have led to a higher life expectancy – from early 20’s to about 33 years old. Kidz1stFund has also sponsored bone marrow drives adding approximately 5,000 people to the National Bone Marrow Registry; eight of those individuals were selected as a match and have donated to save the life of a patient in critical need.