KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- One metro football player is literally trying to kick cancer to the curb. Landen Nealy is the kicker for the Avila University team. He raises money for cancer research with every field goal he makes.
The sophomore joined forces with "Kick-It" after his high school classmate died of leukemia. Kick-It donates its funds to childhood cancer research. The group said cancer kills more children under the age of 15 than any other disease.
Kick-It started by organizing charity kickball games, but has expanded to use any kicking-related support to collect donations.
In Nealy’s case, he asks people to make a pledge on his fundraising website. For every point he scores during games, donors pay their pledge.
Nealy said knowing his kicks count for more than just points in a game motivates him to do his best.
“I have that pressure and I say, ‘If I miss this I don't get to raise $500 [for example].’ It puts a lot more pressure on me, but that's what the position calls for, so you have to fight through it,” he explained.
The Houston native said he chose to attend college at Avila in Kansas City because the coaches were enthusiastic to get on board with the fundraiser.
“I got an offer from Avila University and they actually knew about Kick-It, and they said, ‘We'd love to support you with Kick-It, come take a visit here.’ So I came out and loved it,” Nealy said.
Nealy said being able to continue his fundraising at Avila made him the first player to collect donations on the collegiate level.
He raised more than $30,000 his senior of high school and added about $15,000 last football season at Avila. Nealy hopes to raise $25,000 this year.
Click here for information on making a pledge or one-time donation.
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