Chesco Child Fighting Cancer Gets Jalen-Style Help, Hugs Happen

NOTTINGHAM, PA — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts wanted to make a difference, so he reached out to Alex's Lemonade Stand and asked if he could get involved in their work helping kids fighting childhood cancer.

The Bala Cynwyd-based non-profit connected him to a Chester County family whose oldest son had cancer. Liz Scott, Co-Executive Director and mother of the organization's founder said it started with Hurts inquiring into one family's Christmas wishes.

Scott said Alex's Lemonade Stand connected him to a family in Nottingham. Seven-year-old Erick is the oldest of five siblings and is fighting cancer. As Hurts spoke with them about their Christmas wishes last December, he learned they had needs beyond their Christmas list.

"As Jalen Hurts was taking on his first season as a quarterback for Philadelphia Eagles, he was also building a relationship with a special family of fans. Jalen was introduced to childhood cancer hero Erick and his family through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. As they got to know each other, Jalen learned about the family's journey and struggles in fighting cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic," Alex's Lemonade Stand said on social media.

"I'm really blessed to meet this family," Hurts said in a video recording of his gift delivery.

"They've experienced a lot of adversity," he said. Hurts learned the family was living in a 2-bedroom trailer.

He recently visited the family to "surprise them with something real nice," he said. "I want to be encouraging to all," he said.

When he showed up at the family's home, he was greeted outside with shouts of "Jalen!" and inside with pictures that Erick had drawn for him as gifts.

Hurts played a game of catch with Erick and told him that he and his Eagles teammates admire people who are strong and courageous like Erick.

Erick's mother Amanda received the gift of a $30,000 check to help the family obtain a new home.

"This is from me," Hurts told Erick's stunned mom. "I'm sending you nothing but love and blessings," he said.

He explained that hearing Erick's and the family's story, it touched him. The giant check used in the video had his signature at the bottom. "I think what amazes me is how the kids don't even realize, maybe, what they're dealing with, the circumstances they're in, but they're just happy to be living," Hurts said.

Hurts said he appreciates the time that Erick took to draw him the picture and that he will hang the picture in his locker.

Alex's Lemonade Stand is a 501c3 non-profit organization.