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          NFL Nation

          Falcons' Vic Beasley, Mohamed Sanu rise up against childhood cancer

          • Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff WriterOct 21, 2017, 02:00 PM
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            • Covered Bears for seven seasons at Chicago Tribune
            • Also worked at Chicago Sun-Times, Fresno Bee
            • Honorable mention, Football Writers Association of America for enterprise writing, 2002
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          FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons players Vic Beasley Jr. and Mohamed Sanu are doing their best to raise awareness about childhood cancer.

          The NFLPA named Beasley, the reigning NFL sack champ, its Community MVP for Week 6.

          Beasley continues to raise funds to fight childhood cancer through his Rally Foundation, established when the former No. 8 overall pick entered the league in 2015. Beasley hosted a celebrity dinner for the kids of the foundation Monday night and announced his own $10,000 donation toward the cause.

          "It means a lot to get that award," Beasley said. "There are a lot of people who are deserving of that award. I'm appreciative that they chose me. The Rally Foundation is such an inspiration to me."

          One of Beasley's position coaches, defensive line coach Bryant Young, lost his son to pediatric cancer last October.

          "That elevates my inspiration even more, to see a coach that I'm close to now and knowing that his son went through a thing like that," Beasley said. "That's devastating. That motivates me to continue on with the Rally Foundation."

          Sanu, who returns to action Sunday night from a hamstring injury, posted a picture Friday of the special "Dragon Ball Z" cleats he plans to wear before the game in recognition of both childhood cancer and pancreatic cancer.