The reason deep down any of us became Suns fans is because we wanted to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We wanted a sense of community and belonging. In essence, we wanted a family we could choose rather than one randomly assigned to us.

Sometimes our fandom was passed down to us like an inheritance and other times we chose it upon our arrival in a new city as a kid. No matter how we first became fans though, we’re all connected through this unique bond. We are one big, odd and oddly disgruntled family. And not to go all Dom Toretto on you, but you don’t turn your back on family when they’re in need.

See, my former coworker at the Suns DC Headley is suffering through an immensely trying time. His 13 year old son Noah has been in Phoenix Children’s Hospital since May 4th battling a rare disease. He was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles responsible for breathing and the moving parts of the body, in 2015. He has been in and out of the hospital ever since and has overcome respiratory failure on three different occasions. His dad has been by his side every step of the way.

DC has been part of the Suns organization and by extension our Suns family for over two decades now. To put it in perspective, from the end of the Barkley era to Devin Booker’s 70 point game and every one in between, he’s been around. I was honored to have called him a co-worker and friend for five of those years. I can tell you DC is a private man and is probably embarrassed that we’re even talking about him, a trait most media relations people have. While he’d never want to be the story, I’ve also learned being around him that he’d do anything for his loved ones and especially his son.

That’s why he allowed the head of media relations, Julie Fie, to set up a Go Fund Me Page to tell Noah’s story and to help raise money to fight this terrible affliction.

I’m asking you to take whatever you can spare and share it with a member of our Suns family and his family in need.

While helping out the Noah and the Headley family should be reward enough, I’m also going to offer up something as well. For anyone who donated $5 or more and tweets me (@Espo) proof of their donation, I’ll be entering you into a giveaway for a pair of authentic game worn white 1992-93 Suns shorts and an autographed Grant Hill growth chart to two lucky fans picked at random.

Sports are fun and an escape from the harsh realities of life but they’re also a place where we connect with some amazing people in our lives. DC is one of those people for me and I’m hoping Suns fans around the globe will be generous enough to help he and Noah in their time of need.

Donate today to help Noah Headley.