BUCHANAN — Growing up, football was always part of Kayleen Cox’s life.

During downtime and the holidays, Cox would join her family in spirited games of football. When a game was on TV, Cox was right there watching with her family.

“We are kind of like one big football family,” Cox said.

Cox further fed her passion for the sport when she joined Buchanan Rocket Football – a youth sports team. It would seem natural that Cox would join the high school football team, however there was one thing holding her back. As the sport is dominated by men, the school did not have the football protection pads made for women.

Cox might have given up on her dream, until a Grand Rapids author and nonprofit founder decided to help her.

Anny Donewald was invited to speak at Buchanan High School this spring to talk about her book “27 Seconds.” The book seeks to bring to light the issues of domestic sex trafficking. After Donewald’s talk, she and Cox, 16, struck up a conversation about her love for playing football.

Cox told Donewald that she would love to play on the high school’s team, but that there was not gear available for women that would help to protect their breasts.

“I said, ‘ok, so the only thing stopping you from playing varsity football is football pads?’” Donewald said. “And I was like, ‘yeah, I’m going to go ahead and raise the money.’ Football pads should not be the reason why you can’t do what you love to do.”

Donewald put out a calling on Facebook stating that she was contributing some of her own money to the cause. She asked others to join her in supporting Cox and donate money. The response was almost immediate and within a couple of hours, she had raised about $200 – enough to buy the football pads for the school to purchase for Cox.

“There were a lot of women across the country [that contributed],” Donewald said. “Some women in Michigan wanted to know what high school she attended so they could go to her game. They rose up and said they were excited that there was a woman who wanted to do something outside of the box.”

In addition to being a published author, Donewald is also the founder of Eve’s Angels – a nonprofit that combats female exploitation and sex trafficking. Donewald said her mission is to help to empower women and encourage them to go for their dreams, even if the world sees it as non-conventional.

“I just have a personal conviction that all women – we should back each other up,” Donewald said. “Regardless of whatever life throws at you, people will pull you up.”

For her part, Cox said she was grateful to Donewald for helping to renew her dream. Seeing her community rally around her further encouraged her.

“It was awesome to see that so many people cared about me,” Cox said.

Cox has since injured her knee playing softball and is not sure if she will able to play in the near future. But, having the safety pads available means that she can play if she heals, she said.

Cox said she hopes that if people take anything from the experience it is to go for their dreams, no matter what the obstacle.

“For other girls that want to do it, whether it’s wrestling or something else,” Cox said. “Don’t let the boys discourage you. Do what makes you happy.”