Players Mentioned
SNP
/ Football
Photo by: John McGillen
Blind Snapper Jake Olson To Participate In USC Pro Day To Raise Funds For Retinoblastoma
March 07, 2019 | Football, Features
Jake Olson, USC's blind long snapper, will participate in the bench press portion of the Trojans' Pro Day on March 20 and, based on the number of times he is able to lift the bar, he will raise funds to help cure the retinoblastoma cancer that took his eyesight.
With Olson's every repetition of the bench press, fans can pledge an amount that will go to Olson's longtime charity, Out of Sight Faith, and to the Uplifting Athletes organization. Those funds will support a clinical trial of a device that is implanted in a retinoblastoma patient's eye to directly deliver chemotherapy to tumors in the eye. Early trial results have been promising in the treatment and cure of the disease.
Fan can go to www.pledgeit.org/jake-olson-2019, where they can pledge an amount per rep that Olson bench presses.
"The hope and belief is that the device will eventually be the standard for treating retinoblastoma," said Olson. "Last year, two children were completely cured through the use of this device. I am raising money so that no child has to lose their sight again to the cancer that took mine. I plan to 'rep it out for retinoblastoma' on Pro Day and help cure this disease for good."
Over the past 20 years, Olson's childhood doctor, Dr. Linn Murphree, and his partner, Dr. Brenda Gallie, along with David Carpi at 3T Ophthalmics, have worked on a device that has the ability to cure even the most severe cases of retinoblastoma, such as Olson's.
Olson has been an inspiration to and involved with the USC football program since the age of 12 when he lost his eyesight to cancer. He was born with retinoblastoma, an aggressive and rare, fast-moving cancer of the retina. He lost his left eye when he was 10 months old and, despite numerous procedures on his other eye, he had his right eye removed when he was 12 (he spent the day before his 2009 surgery at a USC football practice).
After long snapping in high school (he also played golf), Olson received a scholarship in 2015 to attend USC from Swim With Mike's Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund. In the Trojans' 2017 season opener against Western Michigan, he got into the game to snap the final PAT and did so again that mid-season against Oregon State and in the 2018 opener against UNLV. He was guided onto the field and positioned over the ball by a teammate.
Olson, who is led around campus by his guide dog, Quebec, is graduating from USC this May with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He is a motivational speaker, has co-authored 2 books about overcoming adversity and has started his own company, Engage, a web-based booking platform.
"No child should face the harsh reality of never seeing again," said Olson. "Despite the accomplishments in my life and the valuable lessons I've learned, I still remember the pain, sorrow and agony that I endured as a child battling retinoblastoma. For this reason, I am determined to cure the disease that took my eyesight and I could not have chosen a more opportune time."
With Olson's every repetition of the bench press, fans can pledge an amount that will go to Olson's longtime charity, Out of Sight Faith, and to the Uplifting Athletes organization. Those funds will support a clinical trial of a device that is implanted in a retinoblastoma patient's eye to directly deliver chemotherapy to tumors in the eye. Early trial results have been promising in the treatment and cure of the disease.
Fan can go to www.pledgeit.org/jake-olson-2019, where they can pledge an amount per rep that Olson bench presses.
"The hope and belief is that the device will eventually be the standard for treating retinoblastoma," said Olson. "Last year, two children were completely cured through the use of this device. I am raising money so that no child has to lose their sight again to the cancer that took mine. I plan to 'rep it out for retinoblastoma' on Pro Day and help cure this disease for good."
Please read the letter below detailing the goal of curing my cancer. Appreciate all the love and support. All donations can be made through the link below:https://t.co/pFGM883aN2
— Jake Olson (@JakeOlson61) February 15, 2019
Fight on! pic.twitter.com/gZWEZPx8vv
Over the past 20 years, Olson's childhood doctor, Dr. Linn Murphree, and his partner, Dr. Brenda Gallie, along with David Carpi at 3T Ophthalmics, have worked on a device that has the ability to cure even the most severe cases of retinoblastoma, such as Olson's.
Olson has been an inspiration to and involved with the USC football program since the age of 12 when he lost his eyesight to cancer. He was born with retinoblastoma, an aggressive and rare, fast-moving cancer of the retina. He lost his left eye when he was 10 months old and, despite numerous procedures on his other eye, he had his right eye removed when he was 12 (he spent the day before his 2009 surgery at a USC football practice).
After long snapping in high school (he also played golf), Olson received a scholarship in 2015 to attend USC from Swim With Mike's Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund. In the Trojans' 2017 season opener against Western Michigan, he got into the game to snap the final PAT and did so again that mid-season against Oregon State and in the 2018 opener against UNLV. He was guided onto the field and positioned over the ball by a teammate.
USC long snapper @JakeOlson61 inspired the nation in 2017, which only has him motivated to do more this season. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/ESOOxSUwR8
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) January 12, 2018
Olson, who is led around campus by his guide dog, Quebec, is graduating from USC this May with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He is a motivational speaker, has co-authored 2 books about overcoming adversity and has started his own company, Engage, a web-based booking platform.
"No child should face the harsh reality of never seeing again," said Olson. "Despite the accomplishments in my life and the valuable lessons I've learned, I still remember the pain, sorrow and agony that I endured as a child battling retinoblastoma. For this reason, I am determined to cure the disease that took my eyesight and I could not have chosen a more opportune time."
Game Analysis: Cody Kessler breaks down USC's 59-20 win over Georgia Southern | The Victory Podcast
Tuesday, September 09
Trojans Live: USC's Lincoln Riley, Lake McRee, and Abigail Mullen | September 9, 2025
Monday, September 08
USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane on his spectacular one-handed TD catch, Trojans moving to 2-0
Saturday, September 06
USC Football vs Georgia Southern Post Game Press Conference
Saturday, September 06
