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Heritage North students "Kick-It" for cancer research

May 29, 2012  |  Posted by Julie A. Short

Students at Avon Heritage North Elementary School are only halfway to their goal of raising $3,000 to help find a cure for children's cancer. So far the school has collected just over $1,300 and Principal Brent Betts hopes a last-minute push will make the goal a reality.

"I am seeking your support for our school's 1st Annual Kick-It game - The Heritage North, Kids Helping Kids," he wrote in a district email. "Kick-It is a grassroots program that raises money for children's cancer research by inspiring people across the country to play kickball. On May 30, the students will be playing kickball at Heritage North Elementary School."

Kick-It was founded in 2009 by a 10-year old cancer patient from Northeast Ohio with a big dream; to cure cancer by playing kickball. Now a national fundraising program, Kick-It raises money for pediatric, adolescent and young adult cancer research. Funds raised benefit children's cancer research across the country. Kick-It partners with national medical advisory boards to identify the most promising research studies and projects.

Children will be encouraged to collect donations with classmates and have a friendly competition with other classrooms to raise money. To celebrate, all the students will play kickball on Kick-It Day.

"Despite medical advances, childhood cancers are the #1 disease killer of children - more than AIDS, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy combined," Betts noted in the email. "More than 13,500 children in the United States are diagnosed each year and 20 percent do not survive. There has not been a new drug developed specifically for pediatric cancer in nearly 20 years. Cure rates have risen through collaborative research efforts but more funds need to be directed to research."

http://www.cleveland.com/avon/index.ssf/2012/05/heritage_north_students_kick-i.html