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SUGAR HOUSE - Two football giants put their strength to good use Friday as they turned snow into money for a young girl battling cancer.
Though the snow from the storm seemed neverending, Matt Martinez and Stanley Havili hoped it would never stop. Though many consider shoveling driveways a chore, the pair were eager to get to as many houses as they could.
That's because with every driveway cleared, they raised money for a 13-year-old girl who needs it.
The real star here is Haylie, you know? She's going through this whole process. I understand chemo is not an easy thing, and she's just 13 years old.
–Stanley Havili, Philadelphia Eagles fullback
Both men were star football players at Cottonwood High School, and their days on the field didn't end there. Havili is a fullback with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Martinez played linebacker at the University of Utah.
Pushing around a little snow seemed like a small price to pay in order to make a big difference.
"Our work looks like amateur work, so we're just learning on the run," said Havili.
The two friends have known each other since high school, and it was those high school days that brought them back together for this project. One of their former Cottonwood High teammates has a daughter, Haylie Patolo, who has a brain tumor.
It means a lot because I know it's really bad and cold outside,
–Jodisue Milford, Haylie's mother
"She's been undergoing surgeries and has had radiation," said Haylie's mother, Jodiesue Milford. "She's still doing chemotherapy, and it's just to maintain the tumor from growing."
Those treatments aren't cheap - medical bills can run thousands of dollars a month.
"I don't know how we do it, but somehow we end up making things work out," said Milford.
When Haylie and her family heard Havili and Martinez were going to raise money for their medical bills by shoveling, they couldn't believe it.
"It's a real shock," said Haylie.
Milford says the effort is worth more than the two men will ever know.
"It means a lot because I know it's really bad and cold outside," she said.
But the cold couldn't stop the two football players. In all, they shoveled close to 20 driveways, and to them, it was nothing.
"The real star here is Haylie, you know?" said Havili. "She's going through this whole process. I understand chemo is not an easy thing, and she's just 13 years old."
Hailey's family has an account set up for her at any Cypress Credit Union, but more than that, they just can't believe that out of nowhere, these two guys decided to help. It shows Haylie a lot of people out there care for her.
* Disclaimer: ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.*
