Packer Hall-of-Famer Ahman Green returned to the area last week

ROCKFORD – On Friday, Aug. 7, Ahman Green, former running back and member of the Packer Hall of Fame, returned to the area last week, visiting the pediatric cancer unit at Rockford Memorial Hospital and then participating in the renamed 3rd Annual Healing Hearts For Cancer Night Of Celebration (formally the Ahman Green VIP Party) and the 3rd Annual The ROCK Softball Classic Tournament at the Sportscore One Softball Complex, located in northwest Rockford.

The Ahman Green VIP Party also be returned to Rockford under it’s new name, Healing Hearts For Cancer Night Of Celebration on Friday Aug. 7th at Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort in Rockford. This years event will included an exclusive meet and greet with Ahman, dinner, silent and live auctions, live DJ, Q&A session, lounge areas, private decks with fire pits overlooking the Rock River, games and much more.

The Healing Hearts For Cancer Night Of Celebration was held in memory of Steven Stiles and The ROCK Softball Classic was held in memory of Bill Lee. Money raised from Allstar Weekend IV benefited the Healing Pathways Resource Center and the Ahman Green Foundation.

Ahman Green and the rest of the Ahman Green Foundation visited with children in the pediatric intensive care unit during the day on Friday at Rockford Memorial Hospital.

“Ahman really loves doing these types of visits and the patients we get to visit with seem to really enjoy the visits as well” said Ahman Green Foundation CEO Jeff Lee. “People really do appreciate it when celebrity athletes take the time to come in and spend time with them, just seeing them laugh and smile is an awesome experience for all of us”.
The Ahman Green Foundation started the tradition of conducting hospital visits a few years ago when they visited with children and young adults undergoing life saving procedures in the Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha Nebraska. Ahman visited and signed autographs for patients who were healthy enough to come down to the main lobby. Ahman then visited with several patients in their rooms who were not healthy enough to be moved.

“You walk in and you see all the machines, tubes and wires it can be overwhelming” said Lee. “Then they see Ahman walk in and their face light up and you see the excitement in their eyes and you know you made their day just by spending a few minutes with them”.
In addition to visiting the pediatric intensive care unit, Ahman was hoping to be able to meet with other patients who are also in the hospital fighting various illnesses and injuries.

With RMH technician Gary Gill looking on, Packer Hall-of-Famer Ahman Green shakes hands with Rockford Memorial Hospital employee Rhonda Lewis before leaving after his visit on Friday, Aug. 7.

Both Ahman’s father and step-father died from cancer and Ahman hopes to do what he can to fight the illness.