The fight against ovarian cancer is a deeply personal cause for Texans kicker Nick Novak.
Annie Arth, a close family friend, lost her battle with the disease years ago.
"That was the first time I saw the fight firsthand and the progression from the chemotherapy to the stage of hair loss and seeing her strength," said Novak, an unrestricted free agent hoping for a second season with the Texans through a new deal. "It didn't slow her down. She was a great mother. She was very inspirational. I was a free agent then, in and out of the NFL.