Walter Payton Cancer Fund Kicks Off With Benefit Concert Starring Patti LaBelle And Jeffrey Osborne

Jet, May 14, 2001

The Walter Payton Cancer Fund was recently launched at a private benefit concert, "A Celebration of Life," in Chicago with famed singers Patti LaBelle and Jeffrey Osborne.

Connie Payton, widow of the legendary Chicago Bears football great Walter Payton, said: "It is both an honor and a privilege to have so many generous and dedicated supporters joining me to launch the Walter Payton Cancer Fund."

Walter Payton died of cancer at age 45 in 1999. His death at such an early age was all the more tragic because he had set the standard for durability and productivity as a running back for the Chicago Bears by playing 174 of 175 games during his 13-year career with the team.

Mrs. Payton recalled, "Walter spent his entire life breaking tackles, breaking records and clearing every obstacle in his path except the one that took his life--cancer."

Honorary chairpersons for the benefit gala were Linda Johnson Rice, president and COO of Johnson Publishing Company, and La-Van Hawkins, chairman and CEO, Hawkins Food Group.

Also lending their support to the benefit concert gala at the Park West Theatre were Congressmen Jesse L. Jackson Jr. and John Lewis, both of whom served as co-chairpersons.

During the gala, Hawkins was presented the Philanthropist Award and Congressman Bobby L. Rush was awarded the Humanitarian Award.

Shaun Robinson, anchor of "Access Hollywood," served as mistress of ceremonies for the evening's festivities.

Prior to the "A Celebration of Life" concert, a press conference was held to unveil renderings for a proposed commemorative postage stamp in honor of Walter Payton. The renderings were created by world-renowned artists Stephen Holland and Steve B. Allen.

Last June, the Payton family established the Walter Payton Cancer Fund to honor his life. The goal of the fund is to raise $10 million for cancer research. The fund is an affiliate of the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation.