David Quessenberry presented a check for $100,000 to the Lymphoma Research Foundation with Chairman, Founder, and CEO Bob McNair during the second quarter of Thursday night's game against the Indianapolis Colts.
"The money that we've raised, it's for real benefits, for tangible benefits," Quessenberry said. "I'm part of a trial right now that started in 2006. Before that, this trial l didn't exist. They've been getting great results. There's a 96% less chance of relapse. When you raise money like this, it goes towards trials like that. It goes towards research like that, so you're looking at tangible benefits."
The second-year offensive tackle was named a Homefield Advantage Captain for Thursday night's Pink Ribbon Day game, honoring breast cancer awareness. Quessenberry has been undergoing treatment lymphoma since being diagnosed in OTAs this summer. He is currently in his sixth round of chemotherapy with four rounds remaining and then radiation treatment after that.
"It's emotional because it's a way for me to show the city of Houston that I'm here and fighting it and that your support really does affect me and it really does motivate me," Quessenberry said. "It's really something special that team is able to put together and I'm proud to represent the team."
Quessenberry's fight has been the inspiration for his teammates, especially fellow Texans offensive linemen. Veteran center Chris Myers created "DQ Strong" t-shirts that also help raise money for lymphoma. Myers is inspired by seeing his teammate at occasional team meetings while undergoing chemotherapy.
"It's been pretty impressive and been life-altering for myself to be able to have him here and be able to come to fruition that presentation of the check (with) him and Mr. (Bob) McNair," Myers said. "It was just unbelievable. It was definitely a big, bright spot on a rough night."
