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Junior Danny Nelson, a linebacker on the UCLA football team, will run a marathon this weekend in

Pain and suffering.

It’s on his mind every waking moment of the day.

But it’s not his own pain and suffering that UCLA football player Danny Nelson finds himself constantly reflecting upon. It’s the pain and suffering that he knows U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan must deal with on a daily basis.

Although students are thousands of miles away from the war, the junior linebacker constantly feels affected by the events unraveling. Instead of distancing himself from the chaos of war, Nelson is trying to raise money for two foundations with military ties by running in the Coca-Cola Zero Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego on June 5.

“It seems like a lot of people here are detached from what’s going on over there,” said Nelson, who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps between high school and junior college before transferring to UCLA. “It seems funny to me that it’s not on their minds, because it’s on my mind. It’s too easy to just go to class every day and not think about someone else but yourself.”

One of the organizations, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, provides unrestricted grants to the families of military personnel who lost their lives fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The other organization, the Pat Tillman Foundation, is committed to honoring the legacy of fallen former NFL player and soldier for whom the foundation is named by providing young people with the tools to become leaders in their community.

With the help of contributors’ generous donations for his marathon run, Nelson hopes he can change the world of military families who need the support.

“Whatever people can donate, it all helps,” he said. “I have friends who just give me five bucks, and it all helps. But more importantly, it means something to the families that need help.”

As the son of a Vietnam War veteran who also has friends serving in the military, Nelson’s upbringing has created an emotional tie between him and the soldiers in the Middle East.

“When he was in high school, he felt that serving in the military was something most people should do,” said David Nelson, Danny’s father. “He had a service mentality and felt an obligation to his country.”

David, who served in Vietnam and graduated from UCLA in 1968, was a role model for his son. The service his father gave to his country has made Nelson quick to acknowledge how much achievements on the football field pale in comparison.

“There are a lot of people in my family who did more than football could ever equate to,” Nelson said.

Though David insists he didn’t do anything heroic, his son genuinely admires what his father and other members of his family did in the military. Nelson’s great-uncle served in the Korean War and both his grandfathers served in World War II. The family’s history in the armed forces has made Nelson eager to contribute in his own way. This weekend, he will have his opportunity.

Nelson’s commitment to the cause is more than evident. His father has taken stock of all the time his son has put in to supporting American soldiers fighting overseas.

“He’s a pretty amazing kid,” David said. “He has amazed his mom and me with his dedication and his ideas. He likes to do things for other people.”

To prepare for the marathon, Nelson has had to take up endurance training. Weighing 239 pounds, he does not look like the typical distance runner, drawing comments from some of his teammates and coaches.

“They give me a lot of support, but they make fun of me quite bit because I look goofy when I run long distances because I look like I’m going to die,” Nelson said. “Obviously, I’m not built like an endurance athlete, but it’s been fun.”

What’s on his mind when running isn’t as fun. But if he can help the families of countless military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, then that’s all that matters to him.

For more information about Danny Nelson’s run to benefit the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Pat Tillman Foundation, contact dwnelson@ucla.edu.