BleedGopher
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Per Craig:
Ben Williams knows the impact one person can make in the lives of others.
He's lived that experience as a recipient of a kidney donation and as one who has provided care for others experiencing kidney health problems.
"I haven't had any bad situations, no rejection periods," Williams said last fall. "My actual function is probably at the same level I had when I had two healthy kidneys, so that's been a blessing to stay healthy and to keep trying to climb the mountain."
The former Vikings and Gophers defensive lineman and current President of the Minnesota Chapter of the NFLPA, is helping people in his home state of Mississippi access health care, as well as advocating for organ donation.
"Most states have seen a drop in organ donation over the last two or three years because of misinformation and people not knowing how it works, so I'm going to go to Mississippi and try to do some informative sessions," Williams explained, "Keep doing my thing to try to provide mobile dialysis units to areas that are what I call 'medical deserts.' "
He also wants to help other NFLers as they transition from playing careers to other ventures.
"That last moment you walk out of the locker room, it's a tumultuous ride for some people," Williams said.
His efforts were recognized in August when Williams was invited to Washington, D.C., to receive a President's Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition created to recognize "lifelong service and the power of purpose-driven leadership."
The President's Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest level of recognition bestowed by the President's Volunteer Service Award. Williams' impact was evaluated by the Biden administration, although the recognition ceremony did not take place until after Joe Biden's presidency.
Go Gophers!!
Ben Williams knows the impact one person can make in the lives of others.
He's lived that experience as a recipient of a kidney donation and as one who has provided care for others experiencing kidney health problems.
"I haven't had any bad situations, no rejection periods," Williams said last fall. "My actual function is probably at the same level I had when I had two healthy kidneys, so that's been a blessing to stay healthy and to keep trying to climb the mountain."
The former Vikings and Gophers defensive lineman and current President of the Minnesota Chapter of the NFLPA, is helping people in his home state of Mississippi access health care, as well as advocating for organ donation.
"Most states have seen a drop in organ donation over the last two or three years because of misinformation and people not knowing how it works, so I'm going to go to Mississippi and try to do some informative sessions," Williams explained, "Keep doing my thing to try to provide mobile dialysis units to areas that are what I call 'medical deserts.' "
He also wants to help other NFLers as they transition from playing careers to other ventures.
"That last moment you walk out of the locker room, it's a tumultuous ride for some people," Williams said.
His efforts were recognized in August when Williams was invited to Washington, D.C., to receive a President's Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition created to recognize "lifelong service and the power of purpose-driven leadership."
The President's Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest level of recognition bestowed by the President's Volunteer Service Award. Williams' impact was evaluated by the Biden administration, although the recognition ceremony did not take place until after Joe Biden's presidency.
Go Gophers!!
