Blayne’s story
LSU football star Jack Bech is putting his money where his heart is. The Lafayette-based freshman phenomenon is setting the bar for his teammates by donationg a portion of his Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) funds to Dreams Come True, a nonprofit benefiting children from Louisisna with life-threatening illnesses. “Being able to help out kids who have these problems is really something I’ve always wanted to do,” Bech explains. “But I’m so happy to do it, and I wantto keep doing it, just to show these kids that there is hope, and there’s more to life than just a sport.”
Recently, Bech met with 17-year-old Blayne, an avid LSU football fan who lost his leg to cancer. Bech took Blayne on a behind the scenes tour of the weight room, players’ lounge and the National Championship trophy. “I took him around to show him what it was like to be in the life of an LSU football player,” he shares.
Launched in 1982, DCT has fulfilled dreams of countless kids with life-threatening illnesses. Through donations, the organization has sent kids and their families to Disney World, built playhouses and sponsored shopping sprees. Thought many of these innocent children have passed, some have gone on to become doctors, nurses and professors.
Bech found out about DCT from his uncles, Blain Bech, a former LSU player himself, who helped Exceutive Director Beck Prejean with DCT. Blain involved Jack, who took the ball and ran with it by donating to the cause as well as posting about it on social media. Now the younger Bech is promoting DCT at its upcoming fundraiser, the fifth annual Fashion Show, Kids on the Katwalk, featuring Dream Kid models.
Scheduled for April 14, 2022 at Acadiana Center for the Arts, the fundraiser begins at 5:30p.m. with a cocktail hour featuring foor from Ruffino’s and a cash bar. Meanwhile, the kids will have their hair and makeup done at the Southside Public Libraru, then board a trolley to the show. Each kid will be escorted by a local VIP, at press time including City-Parish President Josh Guillory, Sheriff Mark Garber, UL Coach Gary Brodhead and San Francisco 49ers’ player Elijah Mitchell. For tickers, visit the website www.dctofla.com, email becky@dctofla.org or call (225) 614-8197.
