MILWAUKEE - The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum on Thursday unveiled an officially licensed, limited-edition bobblehead featuring Purdue alum and fan Tyler Trent, who is fighting cancer.
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum will donate $5 from each bobblehead sold to two charities of Tyler's choice, the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment. Although Tyler was already famous in the Purdue community, the 20-year-old gained worldwide attention after being featured in an ESPN story in conjunction with the Purdue-Ohio State game Oct. 20, which Tyler correctly predicted the underdog Boilermakers would win.
The bobbleheads, which feature Tyler in the Purdue blazer with the Purdue logo on the side of his head, are available for pre-order in the Hall of Fame and Museum online store. The bobbleheads cost $30 each, plus a flat rate shipping charge of $8 per order, and are expected to arrive in February. Each bobblehead will be individually numbered and come in a collector's box. The bobbleheads, which are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, are officially licensed by Purdue University and are being produced in conjunction with Tyler and his family.
"Usually bobbleheads are reserved for only the greatest, so the opportunity to have a bobblehead made in honor of me and to have the proceeds go to the V Foundation and the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment couldn't be a more perfect match," Tyler said. "I'm so thankful and humbled by this honor and hope that people continue to donate and give to cancer research through v.org/tylertrent and the endowment."
Tyler discovered that he had a terminal bone cancer after breaking his arm while in high school. In 2014, his right arm was removed from elbow to shoulder and replaced with titanium, but three years later, doctors found cancer in his pelvis. However, Tyler hasn't let cancer get the best of him, instead remaining positive. Tyler formed the organization Teens with a Cause, which recruits kids to do service projects like mowing lawns, raking leaves and shoveling snow for families that are impacted by cancer. Tyler's hopeful that research from his tumor, which researchers at Riley Hospital for Children named T-2 for "T-squared," Tyler's nickname, will lead to a bone cancer breakthrough.
Tyler first captured people's attention as a Purdue superfan after camping out to be the first in line for the Purdue-Michigan football game in September of 2017. Since then, his love for Purdue and his positive outlook on life have captured the attention of millions across the country who have learned of Tyler's story. He was even named the captain of Purdue's football team and was on the sidelines when Purdue upset Ohio State. An anti-Indiana University chant was even changed to an anti-cancer chant by fans, which led to more recognition for Tyler and his fight.
"We were thrilled that Tyler loved the idea for a #TylerStrong bobblehead as much as we did, as we think it's the perfect way to honor him while also raising funds for cancer research and increasing awareness about cancer," said Phil Sklar, co-founder and CEO of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. "So many people across the world have been touched by Tyler's story, and we think this bobblehead is the perfect way to celebrate Tyler and everything he stands for."
The Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment was established to fund cancer research at the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research and donations are currently being matched dollar for dollar by the Walther Cancer Foundation. The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano with one goal in mind: to achieve Victory Over Cancer. Since its formation in 1993, the V Foundation has awarded over $200 million in cancer research grants nationwide and has grown to become one of the premier supporters of cutting-edge cancer research.
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum will donate $5 from each bobblehead sold to two charities of Tyler's choice, the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment. Although Tyler was already famous in the Purdue community, the 20-year-old gained worldwide attention after being featured in an ESPN story in conjunction with the Purdue-Ohio State game Oct. 20, which Tyler correctly predicted the underdog Boilermakers would win.
The bobbleheads, which feature Tyler in the Purdue blazer with the Purdue logo on the side of his head, are available for pre-order in the Hall of Fame and Museum online store. The bobbleheads cost $30 each, plus a flat rate shipping charge of $8 per order, and are expected to arrive in February. Each bobblehead will be individually numbered and come in a collector's box. The bobbleheads, which are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, are officially licensed by Purdue University and are being produced in conjunction with Tyler and his family.
"Usually bobbleheads are reserved for only the greatest, so the opportunity to have a bobblehead made in honor of me and to have the proceeds go to the V Foundation and the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment couldn't be a more perfect match," Tyler said. "I'm so thankful and humbled by this honor and hope that people continue to donate and give to cancer research through v.org/tylertrent and the endowment."
Tyler discovered that he had a terminal bone cancer after breaking his arm while in high school. In 2014, his right arm was removed from elbow to shoulder and replaced with titanium, but three years later, doctors found cancer in his pelvis. However, Tyler hasn't let cancer get the best of him, instead remaining positive. Tyler formed the organization Teens with a Cause, which recruits kids to do service projects like mowing lawns, raking leaves and shoveling snow for families that are impacted by cancer. Tyler's hopeful that research from his tumor, which researchers at Riley Hospital for Children named T-2 for "T-squared," Tyler's nickname, will lead to a bone cancer breakthrough.
Tyler first captured people's attention as a Purdue superfan after camping out to be the first in line for the Purdue-Michigan football game in September of 2017. Since then, his love for Purdue and his positive outlook on life have captured the attention of millions across the country who have learned of Tyler's story. He was even named the captain of Purdue's football team and was on the sidelines when Purdue upset Ohio State. An anti-Indiana University chant was even changed to an anti-cancer chant by fans, which led to more recognition for Tyler and his fight.
"We were thrilled that Tyler loved the idea for a #TylerStrong bobblehead as much as we did, as we think it's the perfect way to honor him while also raising funds for cancer research and increasing awareness about cancer," said Phil Sklar, co-founder and CEO of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. "So many people across the world have been touched by Tyler's story, and we think this bobblehead is the perfect way to celebrate Tyler and everything he stands for."
The Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment was established to fund cancer research at the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research and donations are currently being matched dollar for dollar by the Walther Cancer Foundation. The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano with one goal in mind: to achieve Victory Over Cancer. Since its formation in 1993, the V Foundation has awarded over $200 million in cancer research grants nationwide and has grown to become one of the premier supporters of cutting-edge cancer research.