Are you Thelma strong?

That’s the question football fans will be asked at tonight’s crosstown football game between Flathead and Glacier high schools.

One little girl will unite the rival teams: 2-year-old Thelma Mae Briney of Kalispell, who is in the thick of her own battle against a rare form of cancer, clear cell sarcoma of the kidney.

Thelma Mae is undergoing treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital accompanied by her family (mother Mandy, father Brad and 5-year-old brother Elliott).

Back home, her aunt Lisa Weitzel (Mandy’s sister) has started the Thelma Strong campaign. The campaign is meant to raise awareness of childhood cancer and donations for the Briney family.

#THELMASTRONGCHALLENGE has been floating around on social media accompanied by photos and videos of supporters flexing their arms in support. Those supporters include Glacier High school football players, Edgerton Elementary School, Polson High School and administrators from Flathead, Sanders and Lincoln counties.

“It’s to keep light on the matter and signify her strength,” Weitzel said. “Thelma enjoys seeing the pictures and videos.”

Tonight, the two football teams will play with stickers on their helmets carrying the phrase “Thelma Strong” and gold ribbons representing childhood cancer awareness. The stickers, donated by St. Marie Graphics, will be for sale at the game along with car decals, sweaters, shirts, bracelets and temporary tattoos with proceeds benefiting the Briney family.

The game starts at 7 p.m. at Legends Stadium.

It didn’t take long for the Glacier Wolfpack to learn about Thelma Mae’s diagnosis. Her mother Mandy has been a longtime teacher at West Valley School, where many of the players were former students according to Glacier High School assistant football coach Jareth Wilson.

“It was something we hoped as a program to help support and let them know their community has their back and is thinking of them,” Jareth said.

Thelma Mae was diagnosed with Stage 4 clear cell sarcoma in July when a tumor was discovered in one of her kidneys. Doctors also found nodules in her lungs.

Weitzel received the fateful call from her sister when the Brineys realized something was wrong.

“In June, Mandy had called me. Thelma had a fever and her tummy hurt. Mandy felt a little bump,” Lisa said.

Once diagnosed, Thelma Mae was airlifted to Seattle Children’s Hospital.

“The Seattle team removed the tumor along with one of her kidneys,” Lisa said. “Immediately after that she started an intense radiation treatment to the affected site on the abdomen and the lungs. She underwent the maximum amount, so she’ll never be able to have another radiation treatment in her life.”

On the first follow-up CT scan, Weitzel was at the hospital to provide support and encouragement for whatever results the Brineys faced. The silver lining to the aggressive treatment had finally come on Oct. 14.

“When she had her first follow-up CT scan the site where they had removed her tumor was all clear and three little nodules on her lungs have decreased in size, so her treatments are working,” Lisa said. “It was an exciting day for all of us.”

Thelma Mae is now on a longterm chemotherapy treatment and doctors are closely monitoring her remaining kidney, which is impacted by the strong drugs.

In the meantime, the Briney family receives daily cards and care packages for the little girl Lisa describes as sweet and extremely bright, who likes Anna from Disney’s “Frozen,” “Curious George,” purple hippos and dancing.

The message Weitzel said the Brineys want to send out is one of thanks for all the cards, donations, support, encouragement and prayers.

“It’s appeared to us every prayer people are sending is being heard and every card being sent is read,” Lisa said.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.