{"id":127831,"date":"2025-11-19T01:57:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T07:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=127831"},"modified":"2025-11-19T08:31:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T14:31:56","slug":"noted-lung-cancer-research-advocate-to-visit-cancer-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/11\/19\/noted-lung-cancer-research-advocate-to-visit-cancer-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Noted lung cancer research advocate to visit cancer center"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The med center community is invited to \u201cA Conversation with Christopher Draft\u201d from 3-4 p.m. on Nov. 25.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft, a former NFL linebacker and lung cancer research advocate, played for several NFL teams, including the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams and Buffalo Bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His wife, Keasha Rutledge Draft, died from lung cancer just one month after their wedding in 2011. Since then, Draft has dedicated his life to raising awareness and driving change through the Chris Draft Family Foundation<\/a>, which honors Keasha\u2019s legacy and supports lung cancer survivors and research. He was recently recognized at the Association of American Cancer Institutes annual meeting for his impactful work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to welcome him to Omaha,\u201d said Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the National Cancer Institute-designated Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and president of the AACI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/strong>This event is an opportunity to explore potential collaborations with Christopher and his foundation, and to bring together voices from across our community who are committed to lung cancer awareness, research and support,\u201d Dr. Sweasy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members of the med center community who are interested in attending can read more and RSVP by Friday at this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Christopher Draft, a former NFL player whose wife died from lung cancer, will be at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center on Nov. 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