BLACKSBURG, Va. - Head coach Frank Beamer and the Virginia Tech football team announced Thursday a fund raiser to support research for Ewing's Sarcoma, in honor of Mark Herzlich, a linebacker for Boston College. Team United wrist bands will be sold for $1 each this Saturday as the Hokies take on the Miami Hurricanes at 3:30 p.m., and will be sold through Oct. 9. Members of the Virginia Tech football scout team will be circulating throughout the parking lots in an effort to sell wrist bands.

Herzlich was diagnosed last spring with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that typically affects young men. The goal of this initiative is to raise $5,094 and present him a check prior to kickoff when Boston College visits Lane Stadium on Oct. 10. The 94 is in honor of the jersey number Herzlich wears on the football field.

All funds donated will go directly to Uplifting Athletes. Uplifting Athletes is a national non-profit organization aligning college football with rare diseases and raising them as a national priority through outreach, research, education and advocacy. For more information on Uplifting Athletes log on to www.upliftingathletes.org.

Wrist bands will also be available at the University Bookstore, Volume II and the Hokie Stadium Shops in Lane Stadium. Individuals or groups wishing to purchase a minimum of 100 wrist bands can do so by emailing the Virginia Tech Football Office at lepperly@vt.edu. Checks are to be made out to Uplifting Athletes and no credit card orders will be taken.