For Jordan Spieth, pediatric cancer is personal.
As a kid, Spieth looked on as he lost a friend to childhood cancer. He also had to watch both his oldest friend and his own cousin face their fights with the horrible disease as well.
Today, the 24-year-old does more than watch.
He acts.
On Tuesday, Spieth, the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation and PGA TOUR hosted a special meet-and-greet with two deserving families—and, with the help of Leukemia Texas, presented them both with a supportive gift.
Following practice at Colonial Country Club in advance of the PGA TOUR’s Fort Worth Invitational, Spieth visited with Eliot Walser and MaiLin Lam, six and seven years old, respectively, and their families.
Like Spieth, both are from the greater Dallas area. The children share a Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia diagnosis.
“What an honor to meet these two strong kids and their families,” Spieth said. “It was really special to see the JSFF work first-hand meeting MaiLin and Eliot. I’m so glad they got to come out and enjoy a fun day."
Spieth did more than put a smile on everyone’s respective faces, though.
To wrap-up the visit, Leukemia Texas gifted both families with Patient Aid Awards, compliments of the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation. The funds will help cover the cost of treatment, or go toward prescription costs, travel to medical appointments, and many other needs.
In February, the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation proudly announced a partnership with Leukemia Texas. Through a major gift from the foundation, 80 pediatric leukemia patients from across Texas will receive financial support in 2018 via the Dallas-based organization.
“This incredible gift to Leukemia Texas will help relieve the financial burden and offset the cost of treatment,” said Mandy O’Neill, CEO of Leukemia Texas, who joined the Walser and Lam families for Tuesday’s visit, “but most importantly send a message of optimism and strength when it is needed most.
“We are so grateful for this partnership with the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation and their trust in our important mission.”
From their new Patient Aid Awards to the chance to meet their favorite PGA TOUR professional, it’s safe to say the day became an unforgettable one for both families.
Walser, who’s from Van but is treated in Dallas, was joined by his grandparents, Joy and Tommy Eubank. Lam, her parents, Calvin and Tuyet Mai, and her brother, Ethan Lam, made the trip from nearby McKinney.
“Meeting Jordan was such a special honor,” Joy Eubank said. “He’s wonderful. What’s he’s done for these children is just unbelievable. I’m just amazed that he takes the time to do this.”
“We’re just so thankful to (Leukemia Texas and the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation) for helping us along the way with this journey,” Calvin Lam said.
The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation offers a platform for Spieth to lend time, help grow awareness, and offer financial support to four philanthropic areas: youth with special needs, junior golf, military families, and pediatric cancer.
Leukemia Texas is a platinum rated, independent nonprofit corporation, dedicated to fighting the life-threatening blood cancer of leukemia through the funding of leukemia research and patient aid in Texas. It achieved a record year during the 2016-17 fiscal year, supporting close to 500 families across the state.
Thanks to Spieth’s gift—and visits like Tuesday’s—it appears this year will be another one for the record books.
To apply for funds from Leukemia Texas or make a donation to support families, please visit www.leukemiatexas.org.