After the devastating cancer death of his wife, Jeff Pappas has dedicated his life to raising awareness about breast cancer while raising his children as a single dad.

He’s also helped raise funds for a myriad of charities for decades. His humanitarian spirit is earning him special attention in a forthcoming book inspired by Lady JB Owens of Canada, founder and CEO of Ignite Publishing. The story of the resilient 66-year-old Hughson resident will be shared in the compilation book, “Ignite Humanity” set to publish in 2025.

Pappas’ story will be included as one of 280 extraordinary stories from humanitarians worldwide who have experienced transformative moments that inspire unity, empathy and global consciousness.

Owens learned about Pappas and his story and felt his unwavering commitment to his family and his advocacy for breast cancer awareness has made him a “beacon of strength and hope for many.”

Since his wife’s death, Pappas has been on a mission to draw attention to what he calls an epidemic of over 260 breast cancer cases stemming in the rural Hughson area which he believes is linked to pesticide contaminated groundwater from farms and orchards.

“I’m all about giving back,” said Pappas. “After my wife died – don’t ask me why, it may have been me grieving still – I just wanted to help people. And I had no money. I almost filed bankruptcy. Literally that’s my story.”

Pappas said the 880-page book will honor him with the “Ignite Humanity Champion Award,” designed to recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to promoting kindness, compassion and empathy in their communities.

Owens hopes her book will become “a call to action for every reader to recognize the power of their own narrative and the impact it can have on raising awareness and creating positive change.”

“She found out I was the one who put on events like the kids camps at the Super Bowls,” explained Pappas. “I let the kids in free. I did one at Las Vegas behind the Raiders Stadium and we had 300 kids there and I had about seven other athletes there. She said, ‘Tell us about your story.’ I told her and I didn’t think anything of it and she met me again and again and again. They called me back and said, ‘Hey, we want you to be on our team with Jeff Bezos, Kevin Costner and Matthew McConaughey and a few U.S. Olympians.”

Pappas’ connection to retired professional football players has enabled him to organize fundraisers for charities. He is a marketing manager for the NFL Alumni, a non-profit organization that gives back to local communities by raising funds for youth-related charities through their 35 regional chapters. Pappas worked with Ceres Police Sgt. Jeff Godrey to bring former 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia to a Turlock golf tournament raising funds for Special Olympics. 

Pappas also arranged for the appearance of NFL alumni football players Mervyn Fernandez and John Paye to River Oaks Golf Course in September to raise thousands of dollars for several Ceres non-profit organizations. The Ceres Chamber of Commerce tournament raised over $5,000 for the Ceres SWAT team, Ceres VFW, Ceres Youth Baseball, Ceres Youth Soccer and the Howard Prep facility in Ceres.

Pappas’ long history of giving back to the community extends back to the 1990s he assisted Sheriff Les Weidman with the Stanislaus County PAL (Police Activities League) program and DARE program events.

His NFL connection is one reason why the Hughson resident was hired as VP of Business Development for Brain Mapping Solutions, a company that uses brain scans of athletes and others who may have suffered brain damage or injury and helps with charting the next steps of their journey.

Pappas knows firsthand how dreams of playing professional football can be dashed to injury. When he was playing for Fullerton State’s football team he broke his knee. When he later planned to become a punt returner for the Rams he suffered a broken leg.

With his share of the profits of the humanitarian book, he plans to buy a building somewhere in Stanislaus County and used for underprivileged children.

Aside from his interests in getting out the word about breast cancer prevention, Pappas is doing his part for healthier lifestyles. He’s part of a team rolling out a new drink called Sly which is a natural energy drink without sugars.

Along with Pappas, the book will also include the stories of:

• John Salley, NBA legend and advocate for wellness and sustainability;

• Rob Prior, renowned artist set to embark on an extraordinary journey with SpaceX to the moon;

• Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt;

• Diana Wentworth, bestselling author and inspirational speaker known for her empowering messages;

• The Heels, the dynamic country music trio whose lyrics and advocacy focus on empowerment and connection;

• Dame Doria Cordova, global entrepreneur and philanthropist dedicated to transforming education and business practices.

The online proceeds from book sales will be dedicated to the Ignite Humanity Inspiration Classroom Initiative to build 12 schools in 12 countries.

More information on the book project may be found at www.ignitehumanity.life