NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Coty Sensabaugh had no idea his brother only had a week to live.
He didn't know what leukemia was but quickly learned its tragic effect.
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| Second-year defensive back Coty Sensabaugh is honoring his older brother Jamaar, who died at age 16 a week after he was diagnosed with leukemia, by entering The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man & Woman of the Year fundraising campaign. Click here for more information. |
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[  ](http://dreambuildersfoundation.com/cotysensabaugh/) |
Coty was 11 and Jamaar was 16 when Jamaar was diagnosed with leukemia and died a week later.
The change was so drastic and so heartbreaking.
Jamaar had been the hero every little brother envisions. When Coty accidentally broke a window, Jamaar took "all the blame."
Coty has kept precious memories of Jamaar that live strong and serve as motivation to never forget his hero.
One time when they were younger, they played barbershop with a razor and left "crazy" patches of hair on each other's heads. They rushed to bed without eating supper and pulled the covers over their heads. After realizing what happened, their parents made them go to church the next day before their father evened out the extreme haircuts.
Regardless of challenges or obstacles, Coty and Jamaar were in their adventures together. Always.
In an effort to honor his late brother's legacy, Coty accepted the challenge to participate in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Man & Woman of the Year Campaign with little hesitation and developed the appropriate campaign motto, "A Fight for Jamaar." More information about the campaign is available at **www.cotysensabaugh.net**.
"My brother's life was stripped suddenly from my family," Coty said. "Jamaar was never able to fight for his life, and it is my responsibility to fight the good fight for him."
"I just wanted to keep his name alive and going for as long as I live," he continued. "I knew if I ever received a platform, I would use it to raise awareness about this disease and how we can help those battling blood cancer."
The LLS Man & Woman of the Year are selected following a 10-week fundraising campaign that lasts from Thursday, April 4 until 6 p.m. June 13, 2013. Donations can be made directly to LLS at **www.coty4acure.com** beginning Thursday.
"The goal of the Man & Woman of the Year campaign is to raise as much money and awareness about leukemia and lymphoma, but I am more interested in interacting with families and kids," said Sensabaugh, who has cultivated relationships with children who are battling cancer and their families since he moved to Nashville.
Many candidates who commit to such a substantial fundraising effort have been pillars of their communities for years and have a wide network of friends to help them, but that didn't deter the second-year pro football player and his girlfriend Dominique Jordan from campaigning with all their energy.
"Ever since I met Coty, he has always been committed and passionate about this cause," Jordan said. "(LLS has) a huge impact in Nashville by providing research and development and financial resources for families that are affected by blood cancer.
"For Coty and I, LLS is renowned in this area and they've done so much," Jordan continued. "We are honored that they would allow him to participate in a campaign like this. We are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of those battling these diseases."
Sensabaugh and Jordan have launched partnerships with restaurants (California Pizza Kitchen and Sweet CeCe's in Green Hills and Chick-fil-A of Brentwood) that will hold a series of fundraising events in which proceeds of sales will be donated directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of Sensabaugh's campaign.
They have also scheduled a three-course dinner at Maggiano's Little Italy (**click here to order tickets to the dinner**), a "Prowl and Growl" tailgate with the Nashville Clemson Club that will include Tigers coach Dabo Swinney, and a private "Couture for a Cause" fashion show with Titans players and cheerleaders modeling the latest spring attire from Nashville's own Kocktails & Kouture and J&HP Clothing that will be held at the Copper Still Farm residence in Franklin, which Gary Ashton of The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Elite and Nicole Dunigan from Pinnacle Financial Partners helped secure as a donated site for the campaign.
Sensabaugh and Jordan said they appreciate the businesses and community leaders that have been so willing to help, as well as those who will participate in the events to raise money for the campaign.
"When the idea of running for Man of the Year was first brought to me, I was nervous about accepting such a huge commitment, but I was like, 'God brought this to us so he'll bring us through it,' " Sensabaugh said. "I'm just taking that approach. This was never my goal, to run for Man of the Year, but when the opportunity brought itself, I really felt like it was for a reason bigger than we even know."
Upcoming Events:
"Pizza with the Pros for a Cure"
California Pizza Kitchen (Green Hills)
4031 Hillsboro Pike Nashville, TN 37215
Thursday, April 11, 2013 | 5-8 p.m.
20 percent of proceeds will be donated to LLS in honor of Coty's campaign
"Coolin for a Cure"
Sweet CeCe's (Green Hills)
4031 Hillsboro Pike Nashville, TN 37215
Thursday, April 18, 2013 | 3-7 p.m.
*20 percent of proceeds will be donated to LLS in honor of Coty's campaign *
Chick-fil-A Spirit Night
Chick-fil-A Brentwood
330 Franklin Road Nashville, TN 37027
Thursday, April 25, 2013 | 5-8 p.m.
15 percent of sales will be donated to LLS in honor of the Coty Sensabaugh Man of the Year Campaign
Prowl & Growl
Cumberland Park
592 South 1st Street Nashville, TN 37213
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 | 3-6 p.m.
Nashville Clemson Club | NashvilleClemsonClub.com
"Dine with the Titans for a Cure"
Maggiano's Little Italy Restaurant
3106 West End Avenue Nashville, TN 37203
Thursday, May 23, 2013 | 7-9 p.m.
Individual Tickets: $150 | Table Sponsorship: $1500
Sponsorship includes: Three-course scrumptious dinner, opportunity to bid on live and silent exclusive auction items from the Tennessee Titans! Meet families that are directly affected by blood cancer and hear their story. **Click here** or call 615-535-3140 to purchase tickets to the dinner.
All proceeds generated from this event will go directly to LLS
