Cancer Survivor, Giants' LB Mark Herzlich Inspires Crowd in Fairfield

New York Giants' linebacker and cancer survivor Mark Herzlich spoke at the next Connecticut Challenge Speakers Series event Thursday at Roger Ludlowe Middle School in Fairfield.

Nearly half of the people in the crowd were among Connecticut’s 170,000 cancer survivors, according to a report in the Norwalk Hour.

Jeff Keith, president of the CT Challenge Survivorship Network, introduced Herzlich and referred to him as a “remarkable man” with a “quiet story,” according to The Hour.

Herzlich gave his inspirational talk, "From Cancer to the Super Bowl," to more than 200 people Thursday.

In 2008, Herzlich was a first-team All American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He had to sit out the entire 2009 season after being diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer.

Herzlich fought back and -- just two years after his diagnosis -- became a starting linebacker for the New York Giants in 2011.   

The funds that were raised will support survivorship programs at the Connecticut Challenge Center for Survivorship in Southport. The money will also support hospitals in Connecticut that are part of the CT Challenge Survivorship Network, in addition to groundbreaking research that will benefit cancer survivors everywhere.

The event was presented by Colony Grill.