Members of our MAN v FAT Tampa Bay league came together at the weekend to support two of their teammates and a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
The walk, held at the Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was arranged by the American Cancer Society.
And it was a cause close to the heart of the MAN v FAT Tampa Bay league, with one member’s wife a survivor of breast cancer and another currently bravely battling the disease.
Shannon Reid, whose wife Jeanine overcame her own battle with cancer, told us more about the guys’ efforts at the weekend, where they joined around 30,000 others in taking part!
1) Tell us a bit more about why you were involved in this walk
At first, I was involved with this walk, to support my wife who had battled cancer a few years before I met her. Like many, every October would pass, and I would see all of the pink ribbons, but did not fully understand the true meaning of being a survivor, or understand the grief of those who have lost loved ones.
As I educated myself on breast cancer, and how it impacted my wife and her children, I started to learn a lot more about other friends and family who have battled or are battling cancer as well. I’m doing this walk to honor all of the brave people who have persevered with battling cancer and to show respect to those who lost the battle.
2) How have your family dealt with tackling breast cancer together?
My wife battled cancer a few years before I met her, but I have been witnessed the strength and resolve that her and her children had to endure. She was a single mother, with four children, and three of them were triplets. It truly puts life into perspective and what’s important, I’ve heard the stories from her and her children and it makes me realize how strong these individuals have to be, and it’s also important to have a wonderful support system around them.
3) Who was involved in this walk from the MAN v FAT community?
I had multiple brothers from my MAN v FAT Tampa Bay Soccer league join us. Some teammates have family members or friends that they wanted to represent for this walk, and it’s very personal for them. Some of my teammates are here to show support to my wife, which means more than they will know.
MAN v FAT Soccer is more than just a weight loss journey, and playing soccer, it’s family.
4) Our best MAN v FAT clubs in the UK and US build incredible communities off the field – tell us a bit more about your league and how the guys have come together
MAN v FAT clubs are a brotherhood of men who support each other, on and off the field. Beyond the pitch and the scales, we support each other in real life situations, which have developed into deep friendships and a great support system.
It’s amazing what a love of a sport and the desire for a healthier lifestyle can achieve when like-minded people strive for the same goal. MAN v FAT Soccer provides us perfect organizational structure to achieve this.
A BIG THANKS
Thanks to all of the MAN v FAT Tampa Bay community who came out to support Shannon and Jeanine at the weekend. For anyone wishing to make a donation, you can visit their team page here.
