(KNZA)--Although they will be rivals on the football field Friday night, students from Hiawatha are showing strong support to a Riverside school district student battling leukemia.

It will happen during the game, as the Hiawatha Redhawks meet the Riverside Cyclones, in Wathena. Orange shirts will be a visible sight, as the students wear them in united support of Riverside sophomore Ta’Lian Wilkinson. Orange is the color used to raise leukemia awareness.

Wilkinson, a member of the football team, was diagnosed with leukemia May 6th. He recently began aggressive treatment at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, which will continue for three years.

Hiawatha High School Principal Andrew Gaddis told the Hiawatha Board of Education Monday evening that the high school student council had 100 orange Fight Leukemia shirts made, which are being sold for $7, with the proceeds earmarked for Wilkinson.

Those wishing to help with the effort of support are told to contact the Hiawatha High School.