An Auburn student and an Alabama student are pitting their universities against each other, but not on the gridiron.
Kayla Perry, freshman in nursing at Auburn University, and Corbyn Wile, sophomore in environmental sciences at the University of Alabama, are starting a competition between Auburn and Alabama fans to see which fan base can raise the most money for finding a cure for childhood cancer.
Wile said the competition will be launched next week. There will be a place on Perry's website, OHOH.org, where fans can donate and claim whether they are an Auburn or Alabama fan. Results from the competition will be announced Dec. 7.
Although the competition is based off of rivalry, Perry and Wile said they are hopeful fans will see the big picture.
"It shows everyone that there's more out there than football, and we can all come together for a common cause," Wile said.
Wile and Perry's common cause is curing childhood cancer and are both battling against forms of childhood cancer.
The two met through Facebook before spending time together this summer in the clinic of Children's Hospital of Alabama. They formed a relationship aimed at solving childhood cancer.
Perry has neuroblastoma, which most often occurs in children under the age of 5.
Diagnosed May 6, 2013, Perry said her journey with cancer has been full of ups and downs, including her doctors telling her they could not cure her cancer.
After receiving the news Aug. 14, Perry decided to pursue her college degree at Auburn.
Wile shares a story similar to Perry's.
Diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in February 2011 at 16, Wile went through a year of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She was told she was cancer free October 2012.
However, in November 2013, Wile relapsed and underwent through more chemo and radiation treatments up to October 2014, when she stopped any kind of treatment.
"They just told me there was really nothing else they could do," Wile said.
After receiving the news, Wile said she made the same decision as Perry. She chose to pursue her college degree.
Similar to Perry, Wile's cancer is usually found in children under the age of 10.
According to Wile, it is a soft-tissue cancer that can develop practically anywhere in the body.
"It is very aggressive with no known cure," Wile said.
Wile said she is thankful for Perry and the fact that their stories are so similar.
"We understand each other and it has helped me," Wile said.
According to Perry, it is encouraging to have someone who is walking the same path.
While Perry said she is thankful for all of the support she and Wile are receiving, having someone who understands her journey is nice.
"People are so understanding, but they do not understand," Perry said.
Mitch Goodwin, sophomore in nursing at the University of Alabama, is a childhood friend of Wile's.
"In elementary school she changed schools, but we both came to Bama and reconnected," Goodwin said.
Throughout Wile's journey with cancer while she has been in college, Goodwin said he has visited her in the hospital and enjoys her friendship.
"Corbyn is me in a girl form," Goodwin said. "We never fight, and if you were to look up the definition of best friend, that's what Corbyn is to me."
Goodwin said he is thankful Wile has a friend like Perry as well.
"I think it's really good for Corbyn to have her going through the same things," Goodwin said. "They understand on a more personal level."
Although Perry and Wile are battling cancer, the two have teamed up with Perry's Open Hands, Overflowing Hearts campaign to raise money to fund research on childhood cancer.
Goodwin said he is also taking part in the competition and shares the same hope as Perry and Wile.
"It is for a great cause," Goodwin said. "It hits home for both schools and puts rivalry aside."
More information on Perry's story and the Auburn versus Alabama competition can be viewed at OHOH.org.
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