MUNCIE, Ind. - Before the season began, two Cardinals wanted to find a way to give back to the community. The pair launched Cards Kick Cancer on August 21, 2025, to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an organization that supports children’s cancer research.
Carson Holmer and Caden Britton came together to organize the fundraiser. Both players said that it was important to them to help the community that they play in.
“It’s just giving back to the community,” Holmer said. “We have a platform that we’re given, and we want to be able to showcase what we do on the field while also helping off the field.”
The play on the field will be the difference for the fundraiser. Fans can make a one-time donation, or they can pledge an amount for every extra point and field goal the team hits this season.
“A lot of the people we don’t necessarily know, they’re just giving back to the cause,” Holmer said. “Especially with all the pledges we’ve gotten so far, a little more added pressure when the kicks come.”
Holmer said the pressure is welcomed and the fundraiser has not affected his mind during a kick yet. He also stated that the pressure is mental and mostly occurs before each game, knowing that each kick could mean a significant amount of money.
The cash means more to one cardinal, though. Caden Britton said the fundraiser hits a little closer to home.
“It’s a personal thing for me,” Britton said. “My little brother Baron was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was two years old. Thankfully, he got into remission and he beat it, but it was still something that took a heavy toll on my family.”
Britton said his family is supportive of the fundraiser. He admitted that he did not tell them about it until it was completely set up.
“They love that I’m trying to make a difference and use my platform to benefit somebody,” Britton said.
Britton said the fundraiser doesn’t get in the way of the snaps, but his brother's battle still crosses his mind occasionally.
“I mean, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about it,” Britton said. “It’s more of just a thought in the back of my mind, because at the end of the day, he’s going through harder things than I could even imagine, so going out there to play a game is nothing.”
Contact Josh Gabbard with comments at joshua.gabbard@bsu.edu.
