Mount Ayr Community HS holds "Tackle Cancer" event for community

Last year, David Showalter came across an article about a football team in eastern Iowa that had dedicated one of its games to raising money to fight cancer. David, a senior and quarterback for his football team at Mount Ayr Community High School, saw this as an opportunity for his team to get involved in community, support those fighting cancer and honor those whose lives have been lost to cancer.


David brought his idea to Delwyn Showalter, Mount Ayr’s co-head football coach and David’s father. “We decided this would be a great way for us to involve our football team in the community and promote the idea that there are things in life much more important than football,” Delwyn Showalter said.

The event, “Tackle Cancer” took place this fall at Mount Ayr’s homecoming football game as a way for the school and community to get involved in raising cancer awareness. The football team wore pink from head to toe and the homecoming theme was centered around raising cancer awareness.

After the game the player’s pink jerseys were sold in an auction, which proved to be the most successful part of the Tackle Cancer event, raising $26,000 alone.


“Over 120 businesses, clubs, families and individuals paid a minimum of $45 to be sponsors of the event,” Delwyn Showalter said. “We had an extremely successful event in all respects, and the final tally for our fund raising efforts stands at $31,000.”

After much deliberation and careful research, the football team and coaching staff at Mount Ayr selected two organizations in the state of Iowa that focused on youth and had an impact on families in their area.

“We feel that Children’s Cancer Connection is one of the charities that meets the criteria we set for our donation. We would be pleased to present a donation of $15,500 to help further your mission.”

The impact of one small idea from one young individual is reflected through David’s initiative to create the Tackle Cancer event. At Children’s Cancer Connection we appreciate everyone who helps enhance the quality of life for children and families affected by childhood cancer.