“It’s Amazing”: Red Creek Middle School, #TeamCallinStrong, Raise $10k+ for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

April 28, 2022 - It starts with a math problem. Then comes the solution. Who would have ever thought such a simple concept, could make a huge difference in the Red Creek community?

This past winter the Red Creek Middle School participated in its 21^st Math-A-Thon. The students teamed up to raise $10,126. For the fundraiser, students are given a booklet with math problems or problems to solve online over February break. Students raise money through pledges per problem solved, or flat donations. All proceeds go to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Over the past four years, Red Creek students have had additional motivation to raise as much money as they could. In August of 2018, Callin Mack, now a second-grader at M.W. Cuyler Elementary School, was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Craniopharyngioma, which is a tumor in the brain. About 100 cases are diagnosed every year. Callin underwent two surgeries in Syracuse, but the cancer was still growing.

That’s when the family turned to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. “Callin went through 30 rounds of radiation, and currently it’s stable,” said Brittany Mack, Callin’s mom.

Cooper Hadcock, Callin’s older brother, was in third grade when his brother was diagnosed. Cooper wanted to do everything he could to help. Now in 6^th grade, Cooper has participated in the Math-A-Thon the past couple of years. He put together a group of family members and friends to join in on #TeamCallinStrong.

“I don’t really have words, I’m super proud,” said Brittany. “To be able to tell his brother’s story and also include his friends in it to raise money for a good cause, it’s amazing.”

Fundraisers like the Math-A-Thon help hundreds of families across the country. A portion of the money helps families, like the Mack’s, pay for flights, meals and housing as their child undergoes treatment. In some cases, St. Jude will also cover a portion of the treatment that insurance companies don’t cover. The hospital also accepts anyone, regardless of the family’s income or insurance coverage.

#TeamCallinStrong raised $1,950 of the more than $10,000. It’s the most money a single Red Creek Middle School team has raised. Team Possible was right behind them with $1,745.

"I am so proud of our students and community for their hard work and generosity to raise over $10,000,” said Richard Pitts, Red Creek’s Math-A-Thon Coordinator and seventh-grade math teacher. “That is a lot, considering we are such a small district and small Middle School” Pitts went on to say that even St. Jude praised the district for the achievement.

Over the 21-years Red Creek has participated in the Math-A-Thon, the school has raised a grand total of $113,080.

Several local businesses also supported the Math-A-Thon this year.  Gallo's Quality Discount, Eastern Shore Associates Insurance Agency, Main Street Barbershop and Sandals & Suits all chipped in.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital treats children with more than 200 forms of cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude’s mission has remained the same for decades, to find a cure through research and treatment. Red Creek students and #TeamCallinStrong will be there every step of the way.