Matt Hobby was a football player at Pope High School. He was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare but aggressive form of childhood cancer that occurs in and around the bones. Matt received this news in 2003 and immediately began his fight against the disease. Sadly, Matt died soon after he graduated from Pope in 2006.

In the midst of his three-year battle, Matt and his family came to realize just how little was known about childhood cancers like Ewing Sarcoma. They learned that most cancer research is focused on adult cancers such as colon, breast, and lung. Ewing Sarcoma affects fewer than 1000 kids each year and wasn't receiving the necessary research and treatment funding. Matt Hobby wanted to change that.

"When Matt was diagnosed," said Matt's father, Jud Hobby, "we were devastated by the terrible prognosis and lack of treatments for this disease. Matt’s friends, Pope football teammates, students, teachers, and the Pope community all rallied to provide him and our family with great love, kindness, and support as we sought treatments from leading cancer centers."

During a home football game, Pope held its first "4 Quarters 4 Matt" fundraiser. When presented with the check, Matt asked that the money be donated to the Rally Foundation, a new charity formed by Pope parents dedicated to raising funds for childhood cancer research.  Matt wanted to do everything possible to help the many, many children he met at the cancer centers and those that would come after them.

Ever since, buckets are passed throughout the four quarters of a Pope football game and filled with loose change that is then donated to help fund research for better treatments and a possible cure for childhood cancers. The Rally Foundation has raised more than $282,000 over the last 14 years with its "4Quarters4Research" fundraising campaign.

Following Pope's lead, over 300 schools in 10 states around the country have held their own fundraising events, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to childhood cancer research and development.

"Matt Hobby Night is the most special night of the year for the Pope Community," said Pope Athletic Director Josh Mathews. "Remembering him through raising money for the Rally Foundation is something that will always be a priority for the Pope community, and we hope that our faithfulness to what Matt and his family started will always make them proud and help many other kids who are in the fight of their lives."

Pope's game against Rabun County last Friday marked the fourteenth annual 4Q4R fundraiser. Jud Hobby is overwhelmed by all the love and support—and dollars—given over the years by Pope fans. "The time, work and dedication to such a cause by the students, teachers, volunteers, and administrators not only honors Matt’s memory but reflects the Pope community well," he said gratefully. "Matt would be proud."

Click here to donate to the Rally Foundation.