Northern Michigan families dealing with childhood cancer will benefit from the 14th Katie Heintz basketball tournament set for March 2 at St. Francis High School.
The annual fundraiser pits students from across the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools (GTACS) system against their teachers for the benefit of northern Michigan children who are fighting cancer. Money raised through the tournament will benefit the Munson Healthcare Pediatric Infusion Clinic.
"Team Elmer's is proud to support the 2019 Katie Heintz Memorial Basketball Tournament by committing to a donation match. Every dollar — up to $20,000 — that is raised will be matched at 100 percent by Team Elmer's,” said Troy Broad, co-owner of Team Elmer’s. “We are proud to live and work in this community, and to support this worthy cause. Every dollar raised will help our local children and families in their fight against cancer.”
The infusion clinic allows children battling cancer and blood disorders to receive care close to home. Since its start, the tournament has raised nearly $150,000. A GoFundMe® account has been set up to take cash donations for the 2019 event: gofundme.com/katie-heintz-memorial-basketball-tournament.
The games will be capped off when local car dealerships help coach and officiate a game between high school students and their teachers. Games start at 6 p.m. but the event is preceded by a spaghetti dinner that begins at 5 p.m. Entry to the dinner and games is a freewill donation, with a suggested donation for dinner of $5 per person or $20 for a family.
“We know what it’s like to have a child struggling against a life-threatening disease,” said organizer Pat Heintz. “Over the years we have seen the relief this clinic gives to families at the lowest time in their lives. This tournament has provided equipment for the clinic and given direct financial assistance for families in need.”
The Katie Heintz Tournament began in 2006 as a memorial for Katie Heintz, a 16-year old St. Francis student who died of leukemia. At the time of her illness, there were no northern Michigan options for treatment. Since then, the Helen DeVos Children’s hospital collaborated with Munson Medical Center and established a clinic to treat pediatric hematology and oncology patients in the Cowell Family Cancer Center.
More information about the tournament is available by calling the GTACS athletic office at 231-946-1180. Lead corporate sponsors for the event are Bill Marsh Auto, Fox Motors, Serra of Traverse City and Independent Bank.