Quarterback Eli Manning, after 16 NFL seasons with the Giants, two Super Bowls, and incredible stats, is putting his young retiree energy to work with Tom Coughlin to tackle childhood cancer.
A giant among giants, Eli Manning, has left a timeless legacy on and off the field, where he has inspired and touched many. After winning two Super Bowls, Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin decided to team up for a new challenge. Having both been around and inspired by young people battling cancer, they wanted to lend a hand to families who are experiencing the tragedy of having a child with a severe illness. Eli Manning urged his Super Bowl teammates to support coach Tom Coughlin’s childhood cancer charity. Because cancer is costly for families affected by the disease (a National Cancer Institute study found that financial hardship can begin quickly after diagnosis, even if you have insurance), the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation helps families cope by providing financial assistance so they can focus on their sick child.
Funding research
After their footballing reign, the player/coach duo joined forces to make an impact that transcends the football world. They have invested separately but also together in raising awareness of pediatric cancer, a cause close and dear to the former pros. Since 2015, Eli has led the Tackle Kids Cancer team. As the philanthropic arm of the Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health (CCI) Pediatric Cancer Institute in New Jersey, Tackle Kids Cancer funds research initiatives and treatments within the institute. In addition, former Manning coach Tom Coughlin founded the Jay Fund in honor of Jay McGillis and worked closely with families affected by pediatric cancer and strives to ease the financial burden associated with the disease. The Jay Fund has awarded over $16 million in grants to date.
