Fans watching the big screen at the LSU-Auburn game this past Saturday may have noticed a message from a former LSU All-American linebacker. Current Dallas Cowboys leading tackler Bradie James aired a public service announcement promoting breast cancer awareness in conjunction with his recently-established Foundation56 charity and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. James stopped by LSU’s campus on Tuesday – taking a few minutes to soak in the atmosphere of Tiger Stadium – to discuss the charity he officially launched in early October. Foundation56, named for James’ uniform number, serves as an umbrella foundation for James’ two programs, the James Gang and Soul Survivors. The James Gang promotes youth leadership development while Soul Survivors encourages early detection of breast cancer. “I always wanted to do something that I was passionate about … something that was near and dear to my heart,” James said. “We need to support our women.” James’ passion for breast cancer awareness stems from his mother’s death from pneumonia after battling the disease. James lost both of his parents while at LSU, as his father died from liver disease three months before his mother died in early 2002. “It was fairly late when [the doctors] caught [her cancer],” James said. “Early detection truly is the key.” Tia Edwards, family friend and executive director of Foundation56, said James is an inspiration because of his personal priorities. “He always believed football came second because education was always first,” she said. “That time was very difficult for him, but his parents had instilled some very strong values in him. You can see that now with his drive to make a difference.” James said the foundation will help underprivileged families by dispatching mobile units to check families who may live in poverty and not have access to adequate healthcare. According to the American Cancer Society, about 2 million currently living U.S. women have been treated for breast cancer, and about 178,000 U.S. women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year. But James said he also wants to debunk the misconception that only women are stricken with the cancer. Although the American Cancer Society estimates breast cancer is 100 times more likely to strike women than men, about 2,000 U.S. men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2007. “This disease affects everyone,” James said. “Hopefully I’ll help get that message out because people will see a big linebacker in the NFL stressing the message.” While standing on his former home field in Death Valley, James also weighed in on the No. 3-ranked LSU football team. He said the 2007 squad is among the best he’s ever seen. “I watch all of the games because these guys are so talented,” James said. “I worked out here in the summer and had to go hide in the truck because they wore me out so much. They’re so big and so talented.” James and the Dallas Cowboys hold a 6-1 record going into a bye week, with their only loss coming to the New England Patriots. “[First-season Cowboys head coach] Wade Phillips has really come in and lifted up all the players,” James said.
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