Football, Family, and Rare Disease

A passion for football, and brothers love, showed one rare disease that family is first.

Written by Chesnee Green

September 1, Columbia, MO – Fall is upon us!  For many this means pumpkin spice and sweaters, for others it’s the pigskin and gridiron: Football!  For the Lofaro brothers football season is a very special time.  Since 2005, with all graduated from school, the brothers traveled to a different NCAA or pro stadium to meet and enjoy each other’s company while watching Americas favorite sport.  Each one living in different states, it was their way to reconnect and have a little fun.  This year was especially important.

In 2015, one of the brothers, Joe Lofaro, was diagnosed with an extremely rare disease: Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD).  ECD is a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis that effects only approximately one thousand patients around the world.  This very complicated disease left Joe unable to join his brothers at the games over the past few years.  But Joe is a fighter, with his drive to gain yardage, great medical professionals, and medication, he joined in this year!

The very first game of the year, University of Tennessee Martin vs. Mizzou, was the perfect game for the brothers to attend.  Joe is a UT Martin Alumni, a prior employee, and has written a book on the sports legends of UT Martin.  Not only did Joe attend the game, he and his brothers tailgated before the game, allowing fans to meet Joe, share some laughs, and spread awareness for ECD.

ECD Awareness Week is the second week in September. Joe created a fantastic poster to support Erdheim Chester Disease Global Alliance (ECDGA) and the ECD Awareness Week they host.  Football, Tailgating, Family, and Rare Disease really can make an amazing combination!

See also an awareness story by Joe’s brother at http://mizzoutailgate.com/martin/ .