There were some special visitors to The Bolt last Friday.
As the NFL continues its Crucial Catch Initiative, the Bolts hosted four cancer survivors and thrivers from UCLA Health, along with their families and caregivers, prior to Week 8's home game against the Saints for a unique day at the team's facility in El Segundo.
And it was all for the great cause of bringing awareness to all forms of cancer diagnosis.
"It's amazing to see that the Chargers want to be very intentional on how they're supporting us, supporting UCLA Health and our patients beyond just cancer and to be offered opportunities like this to expose our patients to something that is so exclusive and amazing is special," said Eric Glassner, the Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships for UCLA Health.
The survivors and thrivers on hand had all underwent treatment for various types of cancers at UCLA Health.
They were treated to a tour of The Bolt, going around the many different areas of the state-of-the-art facility.
"It's state of the art, it's unbelievable," Marisa Peters, who was on site, said. "You see the light rail passing by.
"To know this is just in our backyard and this home base has been created for a team that gives back to its community like this is really tremendous for us as a family to experience," she added.
And to conclude the tour, they got the opportunity to watch some of Friday's practice and participate in a meet and greet with the team after it was done.
Chargers players came in bunches as they walked off the field, talking with everyone and spending time showing their admiration and support for those on hand.
"It's cool to go over there and share our support," Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker said. "They've been through a lot and to be able to come out here and support us is really awesome.
"For us to be able to show support to them, support to their kids that what they've gone through is a lot and a big thing for them to go through," Dicker added. "It's cool for them to see them making it through it, going through it and just the enjoyment we can bring."
Glassner added: "It's amazing to see their eyes open up wide for these experiences and see something that most fans don't get to see every day. Some of these have become new fans because of it. It's special for them and their caregivers and families to be able to be a part of this opportunity."
Not only was it a special experience to be able to interact with the likes of Charger General Manager Joe Hortiz, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and many more, it was a connective experience as well.
Peters was diagnosed with late-stage rectal cancer in 2021 at 39 years old and went through 11 months of treatment at UCLA Health.
She is now two years post-treatment and there is no evidence of disease today as she continues to be under extensive surveillance to make sure that remains the same. She created the Be Seen Foundation to bring awareness to early detection of colorectal cancer.
And for her, this experience was special on a multitude of levels.
"Having cancer is both extremely complicated, yet also connecting for our family, for the people I've met today who have also faced their cancer and are here to have the unique experience with the Chargers in Los Angeles," Peters said. "It's something that shows when you go through tough things, there are people in the community that can come together and really lift you up.
"To see athletes face to face like this and knowing how hard they work and frankly how hard we work to overcome our cancer too, it's a really special way for our kids to see that we can celebrate these tough things in our lives," Peters added. "We're so grateful for UCLA Health and the Chargers for making this our reality. We're so grateful to have this time to share with each other in this kind of setting."
It was similar for Mark Perloe, a retired physician who now has no evidence of prostate cancer after radiation treatment.
The 73-year-old enjoyed the opportunity to connect with both members of the Bolts but also fellow cancer survivors and bond over their experiences.
"It's always nice to come together with people who are just getting started on the cancer journey or have been a little bit further along and see what it meant to them, how it changed them," Perloe said. "Coming here, it's fun, it's exciting, it's interesting."
It was an important day to bring awareness to all forms of cancer diagnosis with a unique look at The Bolt.
"It's amazing to see their eyes open up wide for these experiences and see something that most fans don't get to see every day," Glassner said. "Some of these have become new fans because of it.
"It's special for them and their caregivers and families to be able to be a part of this opportunity," he added.
