Six-year-old Fights Brain Cancer with Nebraska Running Back Rex Burkhead’s Help

Jack Hoffman began battling brain cancer in April 2011. Since that time, the six-year-old has had two surgeries — one at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha and the other at Children’s Hospital in Boston, during which surgeons were able to remove about 95 percent of the tumor and help to eliminate the multiple seizures Jack had been having.

It was before his trip to Boston that Jack got his wish to meet Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Rex Burkhead. Burkhead’s subsequent friendship with Jack and his family has brought awareness to Jack’s situation, including increased media covered and funding for pediatric brain cancer research. In honor of his efforts, on Sept. 29, Burkhead will receive the Rare Disease Champion Award from Uplifting Athletes. For more information, click here to read the full story.