Space Needle
The Space Needle and Mount Rainier are pictured at dusk in Seattle, Washington March 12, 2014. Protected by mountains on three sides and cooled by blasts of fresh ocean air, the capital of the Pacific Northwest is a summer haven for book readers, coffee-drinkers and outdoor adventurers who don't want to stray too far from a good dinner. Picture taken March 12, 2014. REUTERS/Jason Redmond (UNITED STATES - Tags: TRAVEL CITYSCAPE)

Seattle Seahawks’ Jesse Williams climbed the Seattle’s Space Needle on Wednesday to raise awareness for kidney cancer. Williams, a defensive tackle for Seahawks, was diagnosed with the disease and underwent surgery in May to remove his kidney, making him clear for light workouts two weeks later.

The 24-year-old Williams took a 52-story climb in the iconic tower as a support for Papillary Type 2 cancer, a type of cancer that forms inside the lining of the kidney tubules. The Brisbane native scaled the tower’s 832 stairs as a preview of the Space Needle’s “Base 2 Space” event, which benefits Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, according to Seahawks.com. “The Monstar” was joined by former Sounders FC players Taylor Graham and Roger Levesque, along with six other personalities from the Seattle-area.

“I’m trying to make the most of the opportunities that I have. I’m still around, nothing’s too drastic of life-threatening stuff right now, so I’m just taking it day by day and keeping myself positive, staying positive for my family and for myself,” Williams said.

Williams, who is looking forward to play on the football yard this year, was drafted by the Seahawks in 2013. However, he missed his first two NFL seasons due to knee injuries. The “Base 2 Space” event is an open-air run for the first 3,000 individuals over the age of 14 to register at Base2SpaceSeattle.com. The fund-raising event, which aims to raise donations for life-saving research at Fred Hutch, will take place on Oct. 3.

Meanwhile, another Aussie is making a name in the world of American football. San Francisco 49ers rookie Jarryd Hayne has been deemed by San Francisco writer Joe Fann to make the team’s 53-man roster. According to Fox Sports, Fann believes the Australian Rugby League star could make the cut, with Hayne’s impressive footwork traffic, ability to the see the field, and response to contact. The 49ers reporter is also convinced Hayne has made progress in his transition from Australian rules football to NFL, but admits the Aussie still faces an uphill climb on his way to a roster spot.

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