Uniting in green and gold: Cancer survivor and patient bond over new Packers gear "Chedlocks"

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- One family's personal tragedy is spawning an effort to cheer up young cancer patients. In the process, they've created what might be the next hot piece of Packers apparel.

In a state known for hardcore football fans, Tammy Gasch-Rice still manages to stand out.

"Let's see, I was born in 1961, so counting back 9 months from that is how long I've been a Packers fan," said Tammy.

If it comes in green and gold, there's a good chance she has it.

"I laugh because when I pulled up here it's like the Packer flags are still flying on the car you know it's the jacket, the scarf, the earrings, it's everything -- my house is Packers," said Tammy.

It was her love of all things Packers that brought her into contact with one family.

"Was on social media and was on a Packers site of which I am on about 54 I think we said, and his mother happened to be discussing the fact that what we were looking at which happened to be Packer bobbleheads, that she would like them for her son," said Tammy.

Tammy soon learned that the woman's son was 16-year-old Dylan Rottscheit, who has neurological cancer. He and his mom often drive several hours for him to receive chemotherapy treatments at Children's Hospital.

"She in-boxed me, we started talking realizing he was such a big Packer fan. I had extra Packers stuff and it was, let's give this to him, let's meet them," said Tammy.

Tammy quickly became a family friend, supplying her fellow fan with Packers gear when she could. On one visit she was wearing "chedlocks".

"When he saw my Chedlocks he just thought that was the coolest thing ever," said Tammy.

What are Chedlocks you ask?

"A take off on the cheese on your head and the modern hairstyle of a lot of players, dreadlocks," said Tammy.

Tammy and the Chedlocks creator visited Children's Hospital Thursday -- surprising Dylan with his own set of 'Playoff Chedlocks'. Perhaps adding to the bond these two Packer-crazed fans already have, Tammy is a cancer survivor herself.

"Having been through treatments myself, it makes me realize that anything that can surprise you or make you smile during that, nothing better," said Tammy.

The Chedlocks creator says he lost his ex-wife and the mother of his children to cancer. His website gives the option of purchasing a set of Chedlocks to gift to a child battling cancer. CLICK HERE to visit his website.