Artwork of Jacksonville Native and Patient Featured on NFL Cleats in December
Gracielin Hickox, 17, of Jacksonville, Fla., was surprised to learn she was chosen to design Jaguars Pro Bowl long snapper Ross Matiscik’s cleats for a December game. Each year, the NFL encourages players to choose a charity to represent on a pair of custom cleats for “My Cause, My Cleats.” For the second year, Matiscik chose the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund which benefits pediatric cancer patients.
For Gracielin, this was a bright spot during cancer treatment for classic Hodgkin lymphoma. She is a high school senior who began drawing during treatment to pass the time. She never expected her art to be given such a big stage.
For her design, Gracielin used the phrase, “Until cancer doesn’t exist,” a sentiment that motivates us all to keep reaching for a cure for cancer by giving to organizations that support cancer patients and assisting institutions that advance cancer research and treatment. Along with the phrase, there was a colorful blue design with flowers and the Jay Fund logo.
“Gracielin is a big believer in helping others and showing strength and perseverance for the little ones so helping in any capacity was a big deal for her,” said Gracielin’s mom Sara Hickox.
Treating Cancer with Proton Therapy
Gracielin was a rising high school senior in the summer of 2024 when she was diagnosed. She began treatment at Nemours and the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute in the fall.
In addition to chemotherapy, Gracielin’s cancer treatment plan included proton therapy at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. Sara said, “The proton therapy was a lot easier for her than the chemo. Other than a sore throat, she has done well, and you can tell her body is starting to recover from the trauma of chemo.”
In addition to proton beam therapy treatments being easier on her body, Sara said that the staff at the Institute made cancer treatment bearable. Mom and daughter were grateful to Tamara Sorrye, LMHC-QS, director of social services, for her support.
“We’re thankful for Dr. Mailhot and his knowledge. You can really tell he enjoys what he does and is highly intelligent. Since Gracielin is almost an adult, he made sure she understood everything she was about to go through thoroughly, and felt comfortable enough to advocate for herself and ask questions she may have had,” added Sara.
Gracielin completed her radiation treatments in December and is looking forward to getting back to her everyday life. She will finish her senior year and continue to sing in the choir and in theatre productions.
Sara would tell other parents of adolescent cancer patients, “Just keep fighting. There is hope,” she said.
Read more about Matiscik’s thoughts about the cleats and his support for pediatric cancer patients in this news article.