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2 Make a Difference: Central High Big Brothers support mom battling stage 3 pancreatic cancer
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BATON ROUGE — For Central High School's Homecoming night, six students known as the "Big Brothers" did far more than fire up the crowd on the football field—they brought game day hype directly to a hospital oncology floor.
The group, famous for running the field with giant flags and leading student section cheers, started their Friday routines dressed in full homecoming suits for a special pit stop before the lights turned on.
Their mission: cheering up Morgan Tillman, mother of Big Brother member Reece Tillman. Morgan was diagnosed with Stage 3 pancreatic cancer just before Christmas in 2025.
After completing chemotherapy treatments in July and enduring a 14-hour surgery on Sept. 1, Morgan found herself recovering in the hospital during Homecoming week and missing out on the usual traditions with her son.
"I'm used to being the one that goes with him and does his suit and everything," Morgan said. "He did everything by himself this year, and I was so impressed."
Dressed in their suits, Reece and his five teammates—who have been close friends since elementary school—visited her hospital room together. The surprise didn't just uplift Morgan; it ended up bringing smiles to patients and healthcare staff across the entire oncology ward.
"It was something I definitely needed," Morgan said. "It was very special, and the other oncology patients enjoyed it."
Central plays Catholic High Friday at 7 p.m. The Big Brothers are encouraging fans to wear purple in support of Morgan Tillman.
If you know someone who makes a difference, send their name, contact information and a brief summary of their story to sylvia@wbrz.com.
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