SUPERIOR — Two Superior High School football players are hoping to take on no less than the Eau Claire North Huskies on Friday at 7 p.m., at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex.
They also want to work to eradicate cancer.
Quarterback/kicker Tanner Leno and offensive/defensive lineman Garet Rivord are raising money for the Compassionate Care Fund as their senior projects. The Tackle Cancer fundraiser will feature a silent auction and merchandise sales.
Rivaud said 2014 was the last year the seniors held a fundraiser for the foundation, but his brother, Gavin, brought it back last year, and this year’s event is becoming a tradition, he said.
“Hopefully by us doing this this year it will inspire someone else to do this next year,” Rivaud said.
“I feel like everyone knows someone who’s had some kind of cancer,” Leno said. “My grandfather died of cancer. Everybody has a connection to cancer, and cancer is the worst.”
The students said their goal is to raise $12,000-15,000 to help those who are experiencing expenses related to treatment or who don’t have the proper insurance or insurance to cover the costs of treatment.
“Cancer is such a difficult disease that money should not be your biggest concern,” Reno said.
“My grandmother had breast cancer twice and she’s been through it, so I can look at her and say, ‘I wish I could have done this for you,'” Rivaud said.
Rivaud said he appreciates that the Compassionate Care Fund doesn’t just cover medical expenses: The fund also helps patients who need other necessities, like food and gas to get to doctor’s appointments, he said.
“The only thing I have to worry about is the game and recovering,” Rivaud said.
Shelley Nelson has been a reporter for Duluth Media Group since 1997, covering community and government in Superior and Douglas counties from 1999 to 2006 for the Duluth News Tribune and since 2006. She can be reached at 715-395-5022 or snelson@superiortelegram.com.