Cobbers QB Hosts Camp to Raise Money for Cancer Research

COOPER MATTERS JOINS THE NON-PROFIT "QBS VS. CANCER" AND RAISES MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH.

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR)–QBs Vs. Cancer is a nonprofit organization with mission to raise money in the fight against cancer through football training by DIII quarterbacks.

“[We] just put on camps throughout the summer and 100% of the proceeds that are raised from the kids that come to these camps go to a local cancer research center in their area,” said Cooper Mattern.”

Mattern is the starting Quarterback at Concordia College in moorhead, earlier in May he took part in a QBs versus Cancer event. An organization started by DIII quarterback Carter St. John. The 40-plus quarterbacks a part of this mission aim to raise money in the fight against cancer through football training by D-III quarterbacks.

“My grandpa had glioblastoma a couple years ago now,” said Mattern on why he joined this cause. “Just seeing him battle through that was a big thing for me and when Carter reached out to me, I knew I wanted to jump on this right away. Pray for Gray in Fargo is who I am donating my money to.”

Founder Carter St. John began this organization because he felt he needed to step up.

“It originated by Alma playing Kalamazoo in football and we call it the ‘Alma Cares Game’,” St. John explained. “What that was is every player had to raise $50 and we got new jersey’s for that. Then you got to pick someone you know who has battled cancer or is battling cancer and you can put their name on the back of your jersey. A lot of my teammates, unfortunately, were having to choose between four or five different people. So, it was just hard for me to see all those guys having to choose between someone. I figured I needed to do something to help.”

The organization has raised more money than St. John anticipated and he credits all the DIII quarterbacks around the country that are participating.

“I reached out to guys, but without guys like Cooper and guys in Texas and Massachusetts… just all over the United States,” said St. John. “Without those guys who put effort into it and actually raising money, this would not be as big as it is now.”

St. John also says the job Mattern did at his camps was impressive to say the least.

“I think we have raised roughly $4,000 as a group,” said St. John. “I think Cooper has like $2,000 of that. He is doing a great job, but as I said, the guys like Cooper that are doing this are the guys who are making this work.”

Mattern says he is grateful to be able to continue bringing awareness to cancer and the impact it has on every community.

“A lot of people are affected by it,” said Mattern. “Anything you can do to put any sort of money or achievement toward a research center or someone/something that deals with cancer is a big thing.”

Founder Carter St. John says he hopes to continue this mission even after he graduates.