Nick Folks Scores More Than Points When He Kicks a Field Goal or Extra Point

Dallas Cowboys kicker Nick Folk has teamed-up with a children's charity because the organization's work hits particularly close to home.  Nick's little 11-year old cousin, Blake Robinson, suffers from neurofibromatosis, a progressive disorder in which nerve tissue grows tumors.  To help Blake and other children affected by the same disease, Nick has joined with the Children's Tumor Foundation for the "Kick for Kids" program.   Folk will donate $25 for each extra point and $75 for field goals during the season to the foundation. He will also participate in the October golf tournament at Canyon Creek which benefits the Texas chapter of the CTF.

Blake, was diagnosed with NF at the age of 18 months and, at that time, his doctors found an optic glioma (tumor) in his brain – one of the many potential manifestations of NF.  During the last two years Blake has undergone four brain surgeries for tumor growth and over a year of chemotherapy.  Nick is close with his young cousin and plans to use his profile to help Blake and all individuals affected by NF live better lives.  Nick said that Blake will travel from California to attend either the Cowboys home game against the Chargers or the Eagles near the end of the season.

NF affects more than one in every 3,000 children born and causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body.  NF can lead to deafness, blindness, learning disabilities, born deformities and cancer.  NF research is shedding new light on cancer, in general – as well as brain tumors, learning disabilities, and bone abnormalities – ultimately benefiting the broader community, in addition to those with NF.

“We are very excited to have Nick join our cause,” said Children’s Tumor Foundation President John Risner.  “Nick is a man of exemplary character who is going above and beyond on behalf of Blake and all of those who suffer from neurofibromatosis.  He is a true role model."

The "Kick for Kids" program gives fans and sponsors the opportunity to pledge funds to help fight NF while rooting on Nick and the Cowboys throughout the season. Donors to the Kick for a Cure program may also receive complimentary items including lunch with Nick, game tickets, and signed jerseys and footballs.

For more information, please visit ctf.org.  Down the left hand column under the "News & Events" section, you can click on the story about Nick and Blake and learn how to participate in the program.