Callaghan "Cal" Taylor, a 9-year-old boy from Alexandria, Virginia, signed with the University of Maryland football on Sunday after joining a special program which uplifts children facing trauma and chronic illnesses. The organization, Team IMPACT, allows children like Callaghan to be drafted by college teams, ABC 7 reported.

College teams who sign up for the program can be paired with a child in need of extra care. Families also have the option to apply for the program and find a team for a child.

"Team IMPACT tackles the social isolation commonly associated with childhood sickness by connecting them with college athletic teams through a two-year therapeutic program—forming lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes," the organization states on its website.

Last week, the women's volleyball team at the University of Minnesota partnered with Team IMPACT and welcomed Cora, an 8-year-old girl diagnosed with a rare genetic neurological disorder known as Rett's Syndrome. The Gophers team was cheering for Cora and her parents as they went through a staged signing day event, according to the school.

The team was first introduced to Cora through a Zoom meeting last year. Although the signing day event was delayed due to the pandemic, the ceremony finally took place last week.

At the University of Houston, the football team recently said a somber goodbye to Vinny Robins, a child who was part of the IMPACT program before he was laid to rest on Tuesday. The team reflected on their memories with the child as they joined family and friends during the funeral service at Faith Family Church in Baytown.

“You really never know what type of impact you’ll have on someone,” said Grace Muscarello, the school's assistant director for football operations. “It’s been one of the most touching experiences ever. It’s truly been impactful. It was the perfect match.”

Callaghan "Cal" Taylor

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