The ChadTough Foundation has announced today (Dec. 26) that University of Michigan Regent Ron Weiser will match donations made through the fundraiser spearheaded by UM defensive end Chase Winovich, which are being directed to the the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Initiative (PBTRI) at Michigan Medicine. Weiser will match up to $1 million total to the PBTRI, which supported the research on Chad’s donated tumor that uncovered new insight into what drives DIPG.

Winovich declared Dec. 20 he would dye his hair orange for the Outback Bowl if donations reached $15,000. That fundraiser is now approaching $130,000 with the commitment of additional players and coaches to dye their hair orange.

“We are working with the University on a Pediatric Brain Tumor initiative which we hope will one day become a Center at Mott Children’s Hospital that will be named for Chad,” said Carr. “That there will be a forever place where Chad’s name is recognized and where these brilliant physicians and researchers will have the resources they need to make a dent in this monster of DIPG.”

The Winovich-driven fundraiser was created in Chad Carr’s honor to benefit Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) research, which he battled for 14 months before passing away Nov. 23, 2015.

“The Wolverines have shown what happens when you find a cause that’s greater than yourself and you embrace it,” said ChadTough co-founder Tammi Carr. “These men said they wanted to help and almost 2000 people so far have jumped in and said, ‘We want to help, too.’ Each and every one of those people have stood up and come together, to do what they are able.”

Supporters can donate by visiting the fundraiser hosted on Crowdrise.