Scott Tolzien – Wisconsin

Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien’s biggest fan is not big at all - he's 7-year-old Jaxson Hinkens. Scott met Jaxson in 2009 after the young Badgers fan was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma.

A common childhood cancer, neuroblastoma develops in the nerve cells and is considered very rare. The Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation reports that of approximately 13,000 new cases of childhood cancer in the U.S. each year, only about 650-700 are neuroblastoma.

This turn of bad luck for the family didn't discourage Jaxson's parents, who were determined to make one of his dreams come true: getting an autographed football from the Wisconsin quarterbacks.

Little did they know, that trip would turn into something much more special: A lifetime friendship. It all began when Jaxson received his autographed ball and was invited to stay for practice.

“His whole face lit up,” Scott recalls. “It was contagious. All the guys could tell he was a big fan.”

Jaxson and Scott connected right away and the two played catch and talked football. Soon, the friendship made its way off the field and into the hospital, where Scott would visit Jaxson for hours. The two would review games plans for upcoming opponents and break down games that Scott played.

Through it all, Scott never lost sight of the fact that while he was preparing for games, Jaxson was fighting for his life.

“His situation put everything into perspective,” Scott said. “It made our problems seem irrelevant.”

Remarkably, Jaxson progressed to the point where he was able to see some of Scott's home games this season and even traveled to a few away games.

“He was truly part of our team,” Scott said. “He was in our locker room after we won the Big Ten Championship. He was part of it all.”

Scott’s family has met the Hinkens family and Jaxson has even traveled to the Rose Bowl and a senior all-star game to cheer on Scott.

“I think we provided Jaxson with a distraction," Scott continued.

As it turns out, that distraction may have also provided Jaxson with the motivation he needed to beat back the cancer that was ravaging his little body. After 15 months of grueling treatment, Jaxson is cancer-free.

Even though the cancer is gone, the friendship is as strong as ever.

“I was in a position to give back and make a difference,” Tolzien says.

As for Jaxson, Scott says he can’t wait to watch him grow up. One thing is for certain: Jaxson is forever a Badger.

Vote now for the 2011 Rare Disease Champion Award
See other Rare Disease Champion Award finalists