CANTON -- St. Lawrence University’s Center for Civic Engagement will host its “Kick It for a Cause” event from noon to 4 p.m. on April 5 in Newell Field House.

This year’s effort will benefit Zachary Hamilton, 12, of Canton.

Zachary is a seventh-grade student at Canton Central School who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancerous tumor that grew from his adrenal glands on his left kidney.

Originally diagnosed in 2009 while he was in second grade, Zachary’s cancer was treated with chemotherapy radiation surgery and a stem cell transplant. Since then, he and his parents, Becky and Bill Hamilton, have been traveling to New York City and Syracuse for Zachary’s treatments. Despite the disease and the painful treatments.

The event this year will feature a Fitness-a-thon, featuring a rotating schedule of Zumba, Tabata interval workouts, yoga and kickboxing. Aside from a full day of fitness, there also will be children's activities, pizza and snacks, a 50-50 raffle and a silent auction.

The Center’s first Kick It cause was held in 2012, Kick It For Krissy, which raised $5,000 for Kristen Hayes of Gouverneur.

In April 2013, Kick It For Claire raised $6,550 for Claire Nezezon of Norwood. According to Johnson, the annual Kick It for a Cause event would not be possible without local support.

This year the goal is to raise $5,000 for the Hamilton family.

More details about the event can be found at www.facebook.com/stlawucce and www.facebook.com/events/404030216397286.

For information about participating or volunteering, contact Julie at 229-5095 or jjohnson@stlawu.edu.