Buffalo Bills’ EJ Manuel Dedicates 2013 Season to Children Affected By a Parent’s Cancer

Updated: October 24, 2013

October 17, 2013 (Los Angeles, CA) – EJ Manuel, quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, is pleased to announce his partnership with Camp Kesem, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support children whose parents have or have had cancer. Manuel has signed on to lead Camp Kesem’s newest initiative, Scoring For Good, a novel fundraising program in which participating NFL players will donate funds to Camp Kesem each time a qualifying play is made.

For the 2013 NFL season, Manuel has pledged to donate to Camp Kesem for each touchdown he makes. For Manuel, Camp Kesem’s mission, hits close to home. His mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, so he can certainly relate to the experience of children served by Camp Kesem. Manuel, who has been open about his mother’s experience says, “When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, my life changed. Camp Kesem’s mission is one that I support deeply as I can relate directly to each child they help. I am honored to be a part of Scoring For Good and this larger effort to recognize kids affected by a parent’s cancer.“

“We are so excited to have EJ join our family and bring more awareness and support these kids,’” says Jane Saccaro, Camp Kesem CEO. “Camp Kesem is inspired by EJ’s desire to give back and is excited to help him promote his season this year. EJ’s partnership with Scoring For Good will help us help so many more children in need of Camp Kesem’s services, and will also help more families who need help know that this life-changing program exists. We are honored to have someone who truly relates to our mission help us help others.”

Manuel’s fans will be able to help him score for good with the Scoring For Good mobile application. The app will be available as a free download, under the name “Scoring For Good”, in both iTunes and Android stores, as well as at www.ScoringForGood.org beginning this 2013 NFL season. The ease and accessibility of Scoring For Good will encourage NFL fans and donors to follow and match Manuel’s contributions, in addition to encouraging other NFL players to join the effort. Users can download the application directly to their phone, sign up, and pledge to help their player of choice promote his performance this NFL season.

It costs Camp Kesem $1,000 to give a child one year’s worth of support, including attending 1 week of summer camp and year-round reunions with their network of friends “just like them.” For $5,000, Camp Kesem can support an entire cabin.

Manuel recently invited a group of Camp Kesem kids to a home game and plans to do so again this season so he can do as much as he can to bring visibility and support to this often-overlooked population of kids.