DAILY LEADER / KATIE WILLIAMSON / Recent high school graduates, Andrew Casteel and Sydney Guidry, from Sulphur, Louisiana, make a stop at Trinity Park in Brookhaven Monday to sell T-shirts for their fundraiser. The pair are the co-founders of driving4acause, which is raising money for The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The summer before college is a free for all for most recent graduates. Beach parties, traveling abroad and cruises are the hallmarks for the 18-year-olds. Seldom is fundraising a primary goal.

“We wanted to take a senior trip but we didn’t want to part,” said Andrew Casteel during a brief stop in Brookhaven Monday. “We knew we wanted to raise money for something.”

Casteel and Sydney Guidry decided that this summer would be their chance to give back to their community. So they have embarked on a road trip across the county collecting money for the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas.

Casteel said they were not sure where they what they were going to raise money for at first, but after a lot of prayer, they decided on MD Anderson, a cancer center. It is a research-driven institution that is part of the University of Texas.

Last year the center treated more than 120,000 patients with 7,600 of them enrolled in innovative clinical trials. They have the largest clinical trial program is the largest in the nation.

Guidry said their visit to the children’s hospital at MD Anderson left them with mixed emotions. She it was a really wonderful facility but you hate to see sick kids.

“It has a very homey feel,” said Guidry.

The children’s facility holds the No. 1 ranking in cancer care according to a U.S. News and World Report survey and one of the top 15 hospitals in cancer car for children.

Like most people, the two have known friends and family who have dealt with cancer. Casteel said on their website they have been touched by the number of close brothers and sisters in Christ fighting a tough battle against cancer.

Unfortunately, the trip has had a rocky start in Louisiana. Illness, rain and other complications have left them with about $30 in T-shirt sales from Tiger Country.

“Day before yesterday we were really down,” said Guidry. “We started praying and then saw a rainbow, which just made us remember all of God’s promises.”

They began their trip in their hometown of Sulphur, Louisiana on July 11. From there they moved to New Orleans, then on to Baton Rouge. They made a pit stop in Brookhaven Monday morning on their way to the Jackson area. They have 11 stops planned throughout eight states. They will return home on July 22.

The two have been planning this trip for three months and are hoping to raise $4,000. They began by raising money for the trip itself by selling washer games, which resulted in $1,800. One of their teachers donated gas for the entire trip. Every day, the pair also receives encouragement from local supporters.

Casteel explained that because the T-shirts were paid for by the profits made from the washer games, all proceeds from their sell will go directly to MD Anderson.

“We want to show people that they can make a difference, but you gotta get up and do something,” said Casteel. “We want to get people motivated.”

Guidry and Casteel have been using social media as the primary way to promote their cause. They are updating their Facebook page and keeping a blog at driving4acause.org where you can donate to them or directly to MD Anderson in their name.

Although the trip is focused on raising money, the two have gotten to do a little sight seeing in different cities. Hopefully, their luck will turn around in the hospitality state.

If you missed their brief stint in Brookhaven, they welcome your donations online at driving4acause.org.