Mason Martin

Family, friends and community members from Butler County and beyond have rallied in support of Mason Martin, Karns City Gremlins’ quarterback who collapsed on-field last Friday.

Two GoFundMe accounts have been set up to raise money for Mason’s family, together nearing 900 donations as of Wednesday, Sept. 6. One fundraiser has reached its goal of $50,000.

The fundraiser was set up Monday after Mason was taken Friday evening from Diehl Stadium by ambulance and then transported by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he remains. The teen had been playing in the game against the Redbank Valley Bulldogs.

“As his condition remains critical, I not only ask you all to lift him up in prayer, I ask that you consider donating toward expenses for his family,” a friend of the family, and organizer of the fundraiser, Amanda Booher said on the fundraiser’s site.

“Having a loved one in the hospital is very difficult emotionally, if we can help to relieve any stress in this difficult time, I believe it is our responsibility to do so! Between travel, food, time off work, etc., it becomes very difficult to manage,” Booher wrote.

Stacy Martin, Mason’s mother, is named as the direct beneficiary of both fundraisers.

This is not the first time the community has rallied around the Martin family in the face of grave health concerns. Stacy Martin has battled cancer after first being diagnosed in 2013.

At the request of Mason’s family, community members also can show their support and wish Mason a speedy recovery by sending cards to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he is hospitalized.

This article was updated Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 to reflect a different address to send cards, as requested by the family on social media.