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Intercepting Children’s Cancer
Intercepting Children’s Cancer
Woodson with a 14 year old C.S. Mott patient. Photo courtesy annarbor.com
by Jack Silver
After an outstanding career at the University of Michigan and in the NFL, what else could Charles Woodson do to give back and make a difference in his community? In 2009 that question was answered with a two million dollar donation to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. The Michigan Man himself created the Charles Woodson Clinical Research Fund.
Charles Woodson played for the Maize and Blue from 1995 until 1997, after which he was selected fourth overall to the Oakland Raiders in the 1998 NFL draft. In 1997, Woodson was awarded the highest honor in all of college football, the Heisman trophy, becoming the third Michigan player to win the award. Incredibly, he is the only defensive player to ever win the Heisman, a title which still stands(Michigan Sports HOF). In that same season, Woodson led the Wolverines to an undefeated season and a national championship against Washington State.
According to MottChildren.org, “It’s always been Charles Woodson’s dream to be a symbol of hope for sick children. Ever since his college days at the University of Michigan, when he’d visit the kids at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.” In January of 2009, Woodson’s son Charles Jr. was born, and memories of his Mott visits during college flooded his mind. “Blessed with a healthy baby, [Woodson] thought of parents who are not as fortunate” (Bigelow). He wanted to make a difference. Woodson was able to fulfill his dream later that year when he donated two million dollars to start his foundation to raise funds for clinical research at the C.S Mott Children's Hospital. Pediatric cardiologist Dr. Gabe Owens said, “It is truly a special thing that he has created here at Michigan Medicine, It will contribute to saving lives in the future” (Lage).
The mission of the foundation is to, “[advance "innovative research ideas that have great potential to transform treatment approaches and offer real cures for children who need it most” (“Charles Woodson Clinical"). The money will go towards research for children “cancer, congenital heart disease, sickle cell and kidney disorders, and developmental conditions like autism” ("About").
Woodson, along with former Michigan teammates Brian Griese and Steve Hutchinson, host their annual “Golf on Main” event to raise money for the foundation. The event resumed in 2022 after a two year hiatus from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, it is back, as “the event raised a record $910,000 for the Woodson Fund” (“Event on Main").
Charles Woodson’s “Golf on Main” event, 2022. Photo Courtesy mmheadlines.org.
Going into the name behind the amazing foundation, BabyCentre.co.uk says the name Charles comes from the Germanic word ceorl which means “free man.” The name has decreased in popularity over the past century, as it was ranked in the top 10 from 1900 to 1954, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration's baby name database. In 2021, Charles was ranked 50, significantly lower than its ranking in the 20th century. The name Woodson is of English origin meaning “son of Wood,” according to names.org and comes from the occupational name meaning son of someone who lives in or works in the woods, according to the SurnameDatabase. This could explain Woodson’s sense of duty to protect, and be strong for these kids, as wood is known for its strength and toughness. Wood is also known for its longevity, which speaks to Woodson’s eighteen seasons in the NFL. The name Charles meaning “free man” reflects Woodson’s personality, selflessness, and wanting to give these children freedom from their illnessand better life. He had an incredible sense of leadership on the field, and is now leading the fight against childhood diseases.
During its 14 years of existence, it is clear that the Charles Woodson Clinical Research Fund has had an immediate and tremendous impact on the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital here in Ann Arbor. As someone who knows what it feels like to be sitting in a hospital bed receiving chemo or awaiting test results, it is amazing to know there are people like Charles Woodson who are fighting for us and looking to make a real difference in the lives of millions. When cancer comes and raids a child's body, Charles Woodson is leading the defense against it!
Works Cited
“About the Charles Woodson Fund.” About the Charles Woodson Fund - University of Michigan, https://leadersandbest.umich.edu/events/umhs/page.aspx?pid=744#sthash.uu7LSSJu.dpbs.
“Baby Name Details - Charles.” BabyCentre UK, https://www.babycentre.co.uk/babyname/1005623/charles.
Bigelow, Pete. “Ex-Wolverine Charles Woodson Gives $2 Million to Mott Children's Hospital.” AnnArbor.com, 26 Nov. 2009, https://www.annarbor.com/sports/ex-wolverine-charles-woodson-gives-2-million-to-mott-childrens-hospital/.
“Charles Woodson Clinical Research Fund | CS Mott Children's Hospital ...” C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, https://www.mottchildren.org/giving/priorities/charles-woodson-clinical-research-initative.
“Charles Woodson.” Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, https://michigansportshof.org/inductee/charles-woodson/.
“Event on Main and Golf on Main Raise $1m for Charles Woodson Clinical Research Fund, U-M Student-Athletes.” Michigan Medicine Headlines, 7 July 2022, https://mmheadlines.org/2022/07/event-on-main-and-golf-on-main-raise-1m-for-charles-woodson-clinical-research-fund-u-m-student-athletes/.
Lage, Larry. “Doctor Says Charles Woodson's Future Includes Saving Lives.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 3 Aug. 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2021/08/03/doctor-says-charles-woodsons-future-includes-saving-lives/48115943/.
"Last name: Woodson." Surname Database. https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Woodson. Accessed 22 April 2023.
Photo of Woodson's "Golf on Main". Mmheadlines.org, 7 July 2022, https://mmheadlines.org/2022/07/event-on-main-and-golf-on-main-raise-1m-for-charles-woodson-clinical-research-fund-u-m-student-athletes/. 6 April 2023.
Photo of Woodson with 14 year old C.S. Mott Patient. Annarbor.com, 26 Nov. 2009, https://www.annarbor.com/sports/ex-wolverine-charles-woodson-gives-2-million-to-mott-childrens-hospital/. 6 April 2023.
“Woodson Surname: Meaning & Origin of the Last Name - the Meaning of Names.” Woodson, https://www.names.org/n/woodson/about.
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