Garoppolo’s new pregame routine: hosting pediatric cancer patients
SANTA CLARA >> Jimmy Garoppolo took a quick break during 49ers warmups Sunday night to say hello to his special guest and launch a new pregame ritual this season.
Garoppolo, each game this year, will host someone who’s battled pediatric cancer, and his first guest was David Lano, 24, of Sunnyvale.
“It’s awesome, and it’s so surreal for him to offer us cancer kids a day so we can forget about what we went through,” said Lano, wearing a replica red Garoppolo jersey and a blue, surgical mask.
Garoppolo has been wanting to launch this venture for several years, stemming from his involvement with cancer patients back in his New England Patriots days from 2014-17. He plans to host someone each game, with the help of the 49ers community relations department and local children hospitals.
COVID precautions kept fans from attending 49ers home games last season, and Sunday night marked
the 49ers faithful’s return, including Lano’s.
Lano on Thursday will celebrate his seven-year anniversary
of being cancerfree. He underwent a bone marrow transplant to overcome acute myeloid leukemia. Lano was volunteering when his boss asked if he wanted to attend a 49ers game, and thus came the surprise of being Garoppolo’s guest, which included a pregame photo op. Garoppolo’s brothers Mike and Billy helped with the introductions, or rather a reunion.
It turns out Lano has met Garoppolo a couple of times before, when Garoppolo came in to Lano’s work place, a local Starbucks.
Garoppolo’s order? “Cold brew, with an added shot (of espresso),” Lano replied, with a smile.
As part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, NFL quarterbacks have put autographed helmets up for auction to raise money for pediatric cancer research and care. Garoppolo’s is up for bid on eBay for $150.
Garoppolo is entering his fourth full season with the 49ers, and he is signed through next season, although his future with the 49ers became in doubt once they drafted Trey Lance No. 3 overall this spring.