NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Titans defensive back Jason McCourty continued to raise awareness about sickle cell disease by participating in the Second Annual Sickle Cell 5K walk/run at Hartman Park.
McCourty participated in the event organized by the Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee as part of the "Tackle Sickle Cell" campaign that he's launched with this twin brother Devin, a defensive back for the Patriots. The McCourtys are urging individuals to become blood donors and donate funds for further research toward the disease.
"The opportunity, like Saturday, to walk with some participants who have sickle cell, the trait or have family and friends who suffer from the disease was an amazing experience," McCourty said. "I was happy they invited me to come."
The fifth-year veteran participated in the walk and also led the large group of participants with stretching and warm-ups. Additionally, Jason addressed the crowd and told his personal story of how sickle cell has impacted his life and family.
"Sickle cell has personally affected my family. My father had the trait, and I have an aunt and uncle who suffer from the disease," McCourty said. "I am very close to my aunt and I've witnessed her day-to-day struggle and all she has been through."
The McCourty brothers are in a competition to raise money for the disease. Each has set up his own fundraising team for the "Tackle Sickle Cell" campaign that will include their 5K Run/Walk held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J., on Sunday, June 9.
It's Team J-Mac vs. Team D-Mac, and the winner will be the brother whose 5K Team raises the most money. The brother that raises the lower amount must dress up as the mascot of the other's team.
Visit **TackleSickleCell.org** and choose between "Join #TeamJ-Mac" or "Join #TeamD-Mac." Once there, you can either join the team as an active event participant, or if you are unable to attend on June 9th you can simply donate to support your favorite McCourty and help ensure he wins the campaign!
For more information, be sure to follow @TackleSC on Twitter and join the conversation by using #TackleSC. You can also like TackleSickleCell.org on Facebook.com/TackleSickleCell.
About Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee
The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee (SCFT) is a charitable, non-profit, 501(C) 3 organization that operates for the benefit of individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease in the State of Tennessee and the Mid-South community. SCFT was founded to meet the unmet needs of individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease. The foundation educates Sickle Cell consumers about how to manage their disease and improve their quality of life. SCFT promotes the concept, "live a life worth living." Therefore, SCFT provides consumers with the resources, materials, and tools to foster interdependence, which ultimately increases education and their quality of health care. Please click here for more information about the Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee.
