The high school football season has come to an inspirational close as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® receives a big win in the fight against childhood cancer in the form of $128,000 raised by hundreds of high school football teams and their generous communities. The 3rd Annual Touchdowns Against Cancer program, a partnership with MaxPreps and Pledge It, is the largest national high school football initiative aimed at unifying teams across the country to benefit the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Finding cures. Saving children®.
The top fundraiser of the 2018 Touchdowns Against Cancer program is Lausanne Collegiate School, based in Memphis, Tennessee. The school raised a record $21,000 this season, after two of the team’s senior leaders, kicker Isaac Weiss, and all-purpose back Eric Gray, came together to rally their teammates and community to drive pledge donations to an all-time high. Gray completed his final season at Lausanne Collegiate School with 40 touchdowns on 241 carries to help drive donations.
Other top fundraisers are Oak Ridge High School in Sacramento, California with a total of $5,300 raised and Olmsted Falls High School in Olmsted Falls, Ohio with $5,100. Rounding off the top five fundraisers are El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills, California with $4,000 and Chopticon High School in Morganza, Maryland with $3,800.
“The Touchdowns Against Cancer program provides an excellent opportunity for high school athletes to leverage their athletic talent to support a great cause. The commitment of these schools, athletes and surrounding communities is a testament to how education, athletics and philanthropy can bring out the best in everyone,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Every touchdown scored and every dollar donated will help ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.”
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