JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – At Nemours Children’s Health, the sound of victory rang out. Seven-year-old Wesley Hines-Allen proudly rang the bell at the Players Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders — a tradition that signifies the end of his cancer treatment.
Wesley was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, or APL. After months of treatment, his parents Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and Kaitlyn Hines-Allen say his strength never wavered.
“He’s so strong and resilient to be able to go through cancer and just always keep a positive attitude and look forward to the next day,” Kaitlyn said. “The support is overwhelming in the best way. We’re so grateful to be here in Jacksonville to bring the awareness of pediatric cancer and how many people and families it really does impact.”
The Hines-Allen family says that support inspired them to give back. Their nonprofit, Four One For All, is launching a new season-long campaign called Four One For Hope.
Starting Week 1 of the NFL season, money raised will go to four cancer-focused nonprofits: Nemours Children’s, the American Cancer Society, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville, and the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
And Josh says he’s tying it directly to what happens on the field.
“If he has strength to fight off cancer, I got strength to fight off three people,” Josh said. ”That’s my motivation. He’s been my superhero throughout this whole journey.“
For every sack the Jaguars defense gets, $410 will be donated to the foundation. The goal is simple — to make sure no family goes through this fight alone.
“Family came from different states to be there and help us out throughout this journey… To see kids be in a room by themselves going through this by themselves kind of touched both of us and we realized, ‘what can we do to help that out?’," Josh said.
The Hines-Allen family says this is just the beginning of their mission — inspired by Wesley’s courage, and grateful for the care that saved his life.
“Thank you to the doctors and nurses from the bottom of our heart for saving our son’s life,” Kaitlyn said. “Thank you so much.”
The Hines-Allen family hopes the Four One For Hope campaign raises both money and awareness throughout the NFL season — and, more importantly, spreads the same support they felt to families across the community.
Click here to make Pledges for the Four One For Hope Campaign.