Bears name Mackenzie Currans 2024 Fan of the Year

Along with her loyalty to the Bears, Currans was selected as the team’s nominee because of her commitment to supporting cancer patients. Currans was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2013, and once she was five years cancer-free in 2019, she hosted a fundraising party for a local hospital where she received treatment.

What started as a small way to celebrate her remission and give back to others has turned into an annual fundraising event called “Mac-Attack.” In the last five years, Currans has raised over $77,000 to help financially support the extra needs of cancer patients such as meals and transportation.

“That was one of the things that I realized when I was going through treatment was that you’re sitting there with long days in chemo and doctors are getting food catered to them,” Currans said. “But patients, if you don’t have someone with you at chemo, who’s gonna go get you food? That’s what it started with — realizing that patients need other help.

“Especially during the year of the pandemic, we realized that some people needed rides. One day the hospital took someone home from chemo, and they realized the patient had sold all their stuff to pay for chemo. So we bought the person a bed. So, we’re just a third party event for [a local hospital], but it’s a lot of fun. We have a fun time throwing the party and raising awareness.”

Currans is honored that her involvement in the community helped earn her the Fan of the Year nod. The NFL’s annual celebration recognizes the extraordinary fans who elevate gameday through their unwavering love of football, embody the essence of true fandom and inspire their community throughout the year.

“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason,” Currans said. “I feel like me getting cancer was a good thing because, first of all, I was a workaholic before that, so it forced me to live. But then it forced me just to be a better person because I’m like, ‘how can I help other people have a good experience?’ Trying to always make people smile and doing something good for other people is something I’ve always wanted to do. There’s too much negativity in this world.”