Brown football rallies support for patients at annual ‘Bench Press for Cancer’ fundraiser

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] - Bursts of applause echoed across Brown University's College Green on a crisp fall Monday as dozens of students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni put their strength behind a shared cause at the Brown football team's 22^nd annual Bench Press for Cancer fundraiser.

Each fall, Bears football players set up a bench press station along a busy walkway near Sayles Hall, inviting passersby to test their strength while raising funds for cancer patients and survivors across Rhode Island. Participants could secure pledges for each repetition or make a flat donation, with proceeds benefiting cancer survivorship programs offered by Brown University Health. As participants took turns lifting up to 175 pounds, student-athletes gathered around to cheer them on for each repetition. Those who preferred not to lift could join the effort by purchasing pink t-shirts or making cash donations.

The fundraiser dates to 2004, when then Brown football team captain Lawrence Rubia was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Initially organized to help cover medical expenses for Rubia's family, the fundraiser continued after his death in 2005, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. In subsequent years, the team has directed its fundraising toward local cancer patients and survivors through a partnership with the Miriam Hospital, part of Brown University Health.

More than two decades later, Rubia's legacy continues to resonate with Brown football players like offensive lineman Danny Thompson, a senior concentrating in international and public affairs.

"He was an amazing football player here at Brown," Thompson said. "He embodied everything that it meant to be a Brown football player, and not only that, but for myself personally, he embodied everything that it meant to be a Brown offensive lineman."

Thompson, who has participated each year since arriving at Brown, said the fundraiser is an opportunity for the team to honor Rubia's legacy while supporting Rhode Islanders affected by cancer.

"I've always carved out the day to come out here, be here with the whole team," Thompson said. "I think the big thing for us is just understanding the fact that at Brown we're so much more than just football players. We're student-athletes, and as part of that, there's a huge source of responsibility and pride in giving back to the Rhode Island community."

To date, Bench Press for Cancer has raised more than $200,000 in donations for the American Cancer Society and the Brown University Health Cancer Institute.

Dr. Fred Schiffman, medical director of the Brown University Health Cancer Institute and a professor of medicine at Brown, was among the community members who gathered on campus to cheer on participants. Schiffman said the team's efforts have supported programs at local hospitals for more than two decades, helping patients access resources for nutrition counseling, physical therapy and more.

"It's been shown and validated that good physical health helps with survivorship and prevents recurrence of many kinds of cancer," Schiffman said. "That's one of many wellness programs supported by this team that are absolutely critical for people. We are just so grateful for this team and what they do."

While donations are still coming in, this year's event has raised more than $16,500 to date.