Decorah’s Josey Jewell, a linebacker for the Denver Broncos, has selected a special cause that is close to home for an upcoming National Football League fundraiser.
Jewell will be auctioning off his custom, one-of-a-kind cleats reflecting his commitment to his 2023 cause – Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Team Lewis (Lewis Lechtenberg, the soon-to-be seven-year-old son of Justin and Karla Lechtenberg of Decorah). The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® is committed to leading the way toward a future without childhood cancer. Because of supporters’ generosity, advocacy and encouragement, thousands of families turn to the organization each year to find the resources and community support they need on their cancer journey.
Lewis was diagnosed in July 2018 with a rare brain cancer called Anaplastic Ependymoma at age 18 months. His pediatric cancer journey continues today.
Lewis will celebrate his seventh birthday Dec. 19. The family is having a birthday card shower in hopes to fill their mailbox. Cards can be sent to either their home or to: Lewis Lechtenberg c/o Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street Decorah, IA 52101.
According to his mom, Lewis’s motto continues to be “Be Brave, Be Strong, Be Happy.”
“We are presently working on having t-shirts designed with this motto,” Karla commented.
The cause
During Weeks 13 and 14, NFL players are wearing customized cleats in honor of the causes they have chosen to support through My Cause My Cleats.
Following Week 13 games, select players are donating their cleats by auctioning them on NFL Auction. The NFL does not profit from the sale of these cleats. All funds raised will be donated by the NFL Foundation to each player’s selected charity.
Jewell is one of more than 40 Broncos players, coaches, staff and team owners participating in the initiative to raise awareness for various causes and non-profits across the country.
My Cause My Cleats celebrates the positive impact players have made in communities across America and provides them an opportunity to highlight the cause-related work they are passionate about on the field.
To learn more about how to bid on the cleats, visit tinyurl.com/2zv6k356.
Jewell is in his sixth year with the Broncos. The Decorah native was a standout on his Decorah High School football team and went on
to start for the Iowa Hawkeyes during his collegiate career on the field. The son of Bobby and Paula Jewell of Decorah, he is married to the former Micole Lansing, daughter of Kevin and Judy Lansing of Ossian. They have two children.
Jewell’s comments
Josey and Micole and their extended family said the My Cause My Cleats initiative is a great way for players to raise awareness for important causes, and to encourage fans to get involved.
There is an NFL Auction, and Josey will have his cleats on a separate “2023 Denver Broncos My Cause My Cleats Auction.” Auction organizers said the event is posted live online from Dec. 6 through Dec. 16.
A link will be available in the near future.
The Jewells said that 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and they continue to promote the cause on social media.
He has just one pair of cleats.
The Nike cleats feature the foundations logo, as well as Lewis’ signature.
The Jewells shared the foundation’s promise … “The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is leading the way toward a future without childhood brain cancer. Every dollar we invest in research attracts an additional 12 dollars in follow-on funding. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is there for families facing the most commonly diagnosed childhood cancer, responding with resources and community support that address every family member’s needs.” – The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
Josey commented, “The past few years I have chosen Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), ‘Logan’s Hope’ for Logan Manderfield of Waucoma. When I reached out to Logan letting him know about Lewis, he was supportive and understanding. The mature man I have always known him as.”
He continued, “Lewis is yet again facing the unimaginable diagnosis of cancer at the age of six. His original diagnosis was in 2018, and he’s now fighting again with a brain tumor resulting from proton beam radiation effects that occur in two-to-four percent of patients.”
“No child deserves to battle and suffer from this disease. Childhood cancer is a devastating reality,” Josey said.
Lewis’ mom, Karla, is a relative of Micole’s and Karla’s family has known the Jewell family for many years. Josey said that Lewis has been a topic of discussion over the past several months.
“I want Lewis to know he’s not alone, and that so many people are fighting for him,” said Josey. “When asked if I’d be participating in the campaign again, Lewis came to mind. I am honored to be able to support “Team Lewis”.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to help raise awareness for childhood cancer, specifically pediatric brain tumor,” Josey concluded.
Lewis’s journey
Karla and Justin Lechtenberg said when they were approached to have Josey represent Lewis for this fundraiser, they were thankful.
“We felt very honored and grateful. Childhood cancer is largely underfunded accounting for approximately four percent of funding and we felt like the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is a cause we truly feel passionate about,” Karla said.
“Lewis thinks it is so neat that his signature was able to be on the cleats!” she continued. “As a parent it is never an easy task to have to experience a child with medical issues. For the past five years we have been blessed with a wonderful medical team at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. We have overcome four brain surgeries (most recently Sept. 11 of this year) and a total of 64 proton beam radiation treatments.”
Currently Lewis is undergoing two chemotherapy regimens for the past two months, and those treatments are showing to be effective.
“We have had MRI’s every three to four months for the past five years and have recently switched to every six weeks to keep a close eye on things. We have seen modern technology and medical advancements save the life of our son,” Karla concluded.
“We are so grateful each day to have the opportunity to wake up and live each day to the fullest,” the Lechtenbergs said.
Lewis loves hanging out with his siblings Brinley, Eloise and William, the Luther College baseball team (proud supporters of TEAM LEWIS over the years), wearing cowboy boots, playing Legos or Minecraft, riding his bike and listening to Luke Bryan songs.
Lewis has been faced with immeasurable amounts of uphill battles but each time he has come out a winner. Lewis is an infectious little boy who loves to give hugs. He is quick to make friends with everyone he meets and has a way of being so caring and happy.
The Lechtenbergs expressed their sincere gratitude to the community and the village surrounding their family during this time.
“We are so thankful to our community, family, friends and church for the outpouring support during this journey. We are thankful that Josey and Micole chose Lewis for the ‘2023 Cleats for a Cause’ to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Team Lewis.”
To learn more about children’s cancer statistics and how to additionally support children’s cancer research, visit childrenscancerfoundation.org.
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