The football field at The Bolt, the Chargers’ state-of-the-art practice facility, was dotted with pink yoga mats. Instead of professional football players coming out to run drills, about 30 breast cancer patients and survivors took the field for a morning mindfulness and breathwork session.
The Bolt welcomed patients from UCLA Health on Monday, Oct. 14, as part of the National Football League’s Crucial Catch initiative, which advocates for early cancer detection.
“To be able to do things like this is heartwarming,” Chargers Chief of Staff Fred Maas said Monday, acknowledging that he and several other members of the Chargers staff are cancer survivors. “An event like this showcases the broader reach of the NFL and all the benefits we can bring to one day cure this awful disease.”
Participants in the mindfulness and breathwork session were all patients of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, which provides psychosocial support for people undergoing cancer treatment at UCLA Health. The session was led by Shiori Lange, MSW, a counselor at the Simms/Mann Center and Da’Vie Guzman, MA, the center’s program coordinator.
Lange led participants in mindful-awareness exercises, guiding them to notice the movement of their breath, sounds around them and physical sensations in their bodies. Guzman led gentle breathing exercises aimed at reducing stress and inducing relaxation.
Sarah Harbaugh, wife of Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, along with Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker and wide receivers Brenden Rice and DJ Chark joined the women for the morning session.
“We're so glad you joined us here today because professional athletes, elite athletes, taught us something a long time ago that it took us a while in health care to pick up on,” said Barb Jagels, RN, MHA, executive director of cancer services at UCLA Health. “It turns out that doing well in a profession that requires athletic capability is not about the body, it's about the mind. And really what we need in order to thrive and survive our cancer is to pay attention equally to the spiritual, emotional and mindful elements of the cancer experience.”
Rice said he’s been practicing mindfulness since he was in college at USC. It’s now part of his pregame routine and allows him to perform his best on the field, he said.
His participation in Monday’s event was especially meaningful for cancer survivor Tricia Takasugi, who approached Rice after the session.
“Just seeing you here and having you present gives us this mental goal, so your presence is really making a difference for us,” she told him. “Because we have to have something to look forward to, to get back to, and that’s what you represent – the epitome of health and vitality. So you being here and taking the time to be with us, honestly we will carry it with us.
“And I haven’t been a Chargers fan, but I will be now.”
