During the recent NFL playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews missed a catch that would have tied the game in its final moments. The Bills went on to win, eliminating the Ravens from Super Bowl running.
Some Ravens fans were upset by Andrews’ fumble and began posting negative comments online about him.
The Bills’ devoted fan base, affectionately known as the Bills Mafia, stepped up and responded with kindness. A GoFundMe page was set up in honor of Mark Andrews’ charity of choice: Breakthrough T1D. The fundraiser has brought in more than $90,000 in donations, and that number continues to rise.
“The response has been overwhelming, to say the least,” said Nicholas Howard, GoFundMe organizer and creator of the Buffalo Bills news page @thebuffalobrief. “This fundraiser started out with an original goal of $5,000. It’s truly remarkable what we were able to do.”
Bills fans have a history of donating to causes supported by players on opposing teams. It’s the fans’ way of showing sportsmanship and turning negativity into philanthropy.
“I hope this spreads awareness (of) a misunderstood disease,” Howard said. “I knew this charity was near and dear to (Mark Andrews’) heart, and after seeing the distasteful comments people were leaving, I wanted to cheer him up and let him know we’ve got his back.”
A champion for the T1D community
Mark Andrews was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 2005 at age nine and drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. His personal story of perseverance in overcoming the daily challenges of T1D and achieving his dreams inspires the T1D community. Mark is committed to advocating for people living with T1D, raising awareness, and educating the public about the condition. He has served as a Breakthrough T1D Youth Ambassador, participated in Breakthrough T1D Walks, and selected Breakthrough T1D as his charity for several annual NFL My Cause, My Cleats Campaigns.
The Baltimore Ravens praised Bills fans and Breakthrough T1D in a post on Twitter/X:
Accelerating T1D breakthroughs
With donor support, Breakthrough T1D is creating a movement to improve and change life with type 1 diabetes, advancing breakthroughs on the way to cure the condition.
No organization does more to improve everyday life with T1D—from driving millions of dollars of global investment in therapy development and access to advancing research, advocacy, and community support.
“Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) greatly appreciates the generosity of the Buffalo Bills community and the many fans who were compelled to donate after Sunday’s game,” said Pam Morrisroe, Breakthrough T1D Chief Marketing Officer. “These donations will support research and advocacy on behalf of the nearly 1.6 million Americans who, like Mark Andrews, live with type 1 diabetes.”
