In order to achieve his goals, Patrick O’Hara needed to raise some money.

A former kicker at Oklahoma, O’Hara wasn’t picked up by an NFL team after graduating in May 2012. It was a setback, but not discouraging. O’Hara continued to train and went to OU’s Pro Day in 2013. Unfortunately, the NFL didn’t call then, either. But for the last year, while working full-time as a personal trainer and wellness coach at a local YMCA, O’Hara has worked to put himself in better position to land on a team.

And this year might be the year.

In early February, O’Hara, who lives in Topeka, Kan., attended a regional combine for specialists in Houston. He performed well and was invited to the super regional combine in Detroit on April 12. Problem was, he didn’t have enough money for travel. Finances were tight, especially with his mother Lena undergoing chemotherapy treatments for Stage 4 cancer.

Not willing to take no for an answer, O’Hara brainstormed with his family and decided to start raising money via the crowdfunding website GoFundMe.com. He created the account two weeks ago with the goal of raising $2,000. He figured that would pay for Detroit in addition to a free agent combine in Gilbert, Ariz. from March 9-11.

As of Wednesday, he’s received $4,935 in donations. All extra funds will go toward his mother’s health.

“I can’t believe the attention it’s gotten,” said O’Hara, who shared the link on Facebook and watched it grow from there. “Even someone in London donated.”

O’Hara is close with his family and it would be hard to leave Topeka if he signed with a team. Playing for the Kansas City Chiefs would be ideal as home is just an hour away. But O’Hara would gladly accept an invitation to play anywhere.

“They said she was going to live six months,” said O’Hara, whose mother was diagnosed in 2011. “She’s going to fight against her odds, so I’m going to fight against my odds. She’s my motivation.”