Scarborough High School Football Boosters collected $850 for the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center during the first half of the Oct. 1 varsity game. The evening was dedicated to a former student who died at age 8. Courtesy photo

SCARBOROUGH — Football boosters for Scarborough High School collected $851 in donations for the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center on Oct. 1.

The boosters are supporting Cancer Awareness Month throughout October, said Shannon Lindstrom, Scarborough resident.

Though he did not have cancer, the football team also held Team Kyle Night during the Oct. 1 varsity game, in honor of their deceased classmate Kyle St. Clair who died at age 8. According to his mother Kate St. Clair, Kyle “suffered from reverse motility and multi-organ failure as a result of what we believe was a mitochondrial disorder. More children die every year from it then childhood cancer.”

Kyle had over 200 surgeries, she said.

Kyle, who died in 2013, would have been graduating in 2023.

During his too-short life, Kyle inspired many people including many who didn’t know him or his family, like Lindstrom.

“Despite how much this amazing boy had endured in his life he never gave up,” Lindstorm said. “His strength, love and hope are still contagious. He has inspired so many with his unconditional love and strong belief in ‘paying it forward.'”

Sam Rumelhart, quarterback for Scarborough High School’s varsity team, wore Kyle St. Clair’s number 14 jersey on “Team Kyle Night,” Oct. 1. St. Clair, who died in 2013 at age 8, would have graduated Scarborough Public Schools in 2023. Courtesy photo

During the game, quarterback Sam Rumelhart wore St. Clair’s number 14 jersey, Lindstrom said.

“Other ways of honoring Kyle included Scarborough High School Football dedicating the game to Kyle and his family, football players wearing orange sweatbands and Scarborough High School students and fans wore orange, Kyle’s favorite color,” she said.