Bears Alums Deliver 100 Care Packages to Libertyville Oncology Patients
Former defensive tackle Henry Melton and wide receiver Rashied Davis visited Advocate Condell Medical Center to support patients undergoing chemotherapy.
By Mateo Thompson ·
Former Chicago Bears players Henry Melton and Rashied Davis handed 100 care packages to patients undergoing infusion therapy at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville on Thursday. The visit, organized through the Bears' charitable initiative Bears Care, aimed to provide comfort to individuals receiving long-term medical treatment.
The two alumni spent time sitting with patients in their treatment chairs while unloading bright yellow boxes from an SUV parked outside the facility. These packages came from Lemons of Love, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people facing cancer diagnoses. The gifts contain specific items designed to help patients manage the short-term side effects associated with their treatments.
Dr. Nikolaos Dallas, vice president and clinical leader for the Advocate Health Cancer National Service Line, Illinois Division, noted that cancer treatment often involves lengthy days for both patients and their families. He stated that having visitors stop by simply to spend time with patients is incredibly special. The health system emphasized that these appointments can last several hours, making the unexpected break in the routine valuable for those waiting in infusion chairs.
Melton, a defensive tackle, was drafted by the Bears in 2009 and played through the 2013 season. He earned a Pro Bowl selection during his time with the team in 2012. Davis, a wide receiver, played six seasons with the franchise from 2005 to 2010. His tenure included the 2006 season, when the Bears reached Super Bowl XLI.
Lemons of Love was established in 2014 by founder Jill Swanson after her diagnosis with colon cancer. A gift from a friend inspired her to start filling and sharing care packages with others in treatment. The nonprofit operates locations in Mount Prospect and Plymouth, Wisconsin, and regularly delivers its yellow boxes to various hospitals and oncology centers across the region.
Advocate Health Care shared photos of the event on social media, thanking Melton and Davis for brightening the day. The images show the former players interacting with patients, signing autographs for fans in Bears gear, and posing for group shots in the infusion unit.
The visit provided a distraction for patients receiving chemotherapy, antibiotics, blood treatments, and other therapies. For many, the presence of former professional athletes offered a moment of connection and joy amidst a demanding medical schedule.
