Senior football player Matt Blair has joined Kick-It, a nonprofit organization that raises money for cancer research. Every Campolindo football field goal and extra point he scores during the 2015 season raises money for cancer research.

Kick-It was originally founded in Ohio by a 10 year old boy named Quinn Clarke who was battling against cancer. He held a kickball game to raise money for research. Over 500 people came to support him.

Cancer kills more children than any other disease and pediatric cancer research is severely underfunded, according to Kick-It.

Blair is proud to be a part of the program. “I want to make a difference and do something good for everyone involved,” said Blair.

Blair’s peers and coaches are also excited about the opportunity to contribute to the cause. “[All of the coaches] thought it was great. We thought it was creative. We hadn’t heard of anything like that, to have a fundraiser to support a cause. So it just seemed like a natural thing; I think all of the coaches quickly got on board to make donations,” said football coach Kevin Macy.

“I’m already kicking anyways, so it’s a good cause I can do to just be a little bit different than a normal high school football player,” said Blair. “People from the community will pledge money for each kick you make. It’s an extra motivation to make more money to donate to cancer research.”

“And he’s having a great year so the more he keeps kicking, the more we win, the more money he’ll make, which is a good thing,” added Macy.

So far, Blair’s participation in the program has raised $1580 for pediatric cancer research.