During Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bradie James’ sophomore year at Louisiana State University, he lost his mother and father within months of each other. His father died of liver disease and his mother, Etta James, died from what has become an all-too-familiar killer, breast cancer. But James made a decision then that despite the overwhelming grief of losing his parents, he would continue to purue his dream of becoming a professional football player, and then use that platform to improve the lives of others, especially in the fight against breast cancer. While become a popular team leader with the Cowboys, James also leads off the field. He launched his Foundation 56 in 2007 to honor his mother's memory by helping others overcome the devastating disease. Part of that mission is found in Soul Survivors -- “strengthening the soul, empowering the woman” -- which is an outreach initiative of Foundation 56. “Losing my mother to breast cancer has connected me to this issue, knowing that the women, men and families being touched by Soul Survivors have given me the personal satisfaction of knowing that I am truly making a difference," said James. Serving as a donor advisory fund to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Foundation 56 has consistently worked to do more than just serve as a resource clearinghouse for early detection. James has invested his energy into identifying breast cancer programs and services designed to provide early detection, mammogram screening, and treatment for the disease. He teamed up with his alma mater to create the Etta James Memorial Meet, a gymnastics event that in a short time has attracted the support of thousands of fans and donors who attend it each year at LSU's Pete Maravich Assembly Center. “To date, we have raised more than $100,000 to aid various agencies,” said James. But the bold young man wants to do more. James is currently partnering with agencies in Louisiana and is expanding his outreach efforts throughout North Texas. He wants to do something about what he says is the unfortunate lack of manpower as well as financial outreach services and resources specifically aimed at reducing the impact of breast cancer on the lives of women with limited access to medical resources. Currently leading the charge to partner with Dallas County’s Parkland’s Mobile Unit and outreach services, James is diligently working to create accessibility to adequate services for those impacted by breast cancer directly and indirectly. "I want to serve as a voice to encourage men -- husbands, fathers, brothers and other men -- to send a message to women," James said. That message, he said, is "a message of hope, of strength and a message of life, a message that breast cancer doesn’t just affect women, it affects the entire family.” To learn more about Foundation 56, contact Stewart Jones at (225) 387-6126.