Chargers defensive end 
Like many athletes, the surgeries have left him a little stir crazy as he focuses so much of his energy on rehabbing. Those feelings have been magnified over the last couple weeks as he’s watched the television coverage and listened to first-hand accounts of the devastation in Haiti.
The stories hit close to home for Cesaire. Although he’s never been to the earthquake-ravaged country, his parents are Haitian immigrants who came to the United States in 1975.
“I’d love to get down there, but I physically can’t, so I’m doing everything I can to support those who are able to go,” Cesaire said.
Cesaire endorses several organizations and is personally backing Forward in Health, a medical relief group based near his hometown of Gardner, Massachusetts. Forward in Health has been organizing medical relief visits to Haiti for several years, but has revved up its efforts in light of the current tragedy.
Through the organization, Cesaire’s father, Carmy, recently made his first visit to Haiti since he moved to the States 35 years ago. Carmy Cesaire said the destruction is so bad that he didn’t recognize a single thing about his native country.
“What people see on TV is nothing,” Carmy said. “It’s much, much worse. My heart is cracked like the houses that I’ve seen. I will never be the same”
Carmy Cesaire is a registered nurse. He speaks fluent French, Creole and English. He spent six days in the capital city of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas where he helped provide medical assistance, served as a translator and helped feed people in desperate need. He also connected with his brother and sister who still live in Haiti. Carmy Cesaire is beginning the process of trying to help his siblings become American citizens. He was relieved to find his family safe, but he’s had a hard time sleeping well since he’s been back in Massachusetts.
“I just keep seeing images of hurting people with broken arms and gashed heads,” Carmy Cesaire said. “Those things stay with you.”
When Carmy Cesaire returned, he did so without his luggage. He left behind all the extra clothes and items he took on his trip and was humbled by the gratitude the people showed him for his gifts.
“Everything I brought with me I gave to them because they have nothing,” Cesaire said. “My heart was broken by what I saw, but it was warmed by the way people were so thankful for our help.”
Jacques recently filmed a public service announcement for the NFL urging people to get involved in the relief effort in Haiti, and that effort as well as his contributions have made his father very proud.
“My trip wouldn’t have been possible without Jacques helping me out,” Carmy Cesaire said. “My son has an enormous heart.”
Jacques is in the process of getting involved with a local church that is leading an effort to assist the hundreds of children that have been orphaned by the tragedies. He also encourages people to donate to groups such as HopeForHaiti.org, the Wyclef Jean Foundation and Doctors Without Boarders as they fight what is sure to be a long recovery battle.
“You can’t donate enough,” Cesaire said. “The whole infrastructure of the country from top to bottom needs to be rebuilt. There needs to be legitimate change. They need construction workers down there to install plumbing, rebuild buildings. They need doctors. They need everything.”
He’s been overwhelmed by the heartfelt responses of so many people around the U.S.
“It makes me very proud to see so many Americans stepping up to the plate,” Cesaire said. “Especially considering the current economic state we’re in, people have given a lot. I’m proud to be American and proud to be Haitian. With all the things that are going on around us, we still have hope because we live in the greatest country in the world.”
