Playing softball for a cause

Three local residents are holding a softball tournament to help families impacted by cancer.

The second annual fundraising event will be held at Forest Home Park, 640 N.W. Logan St., in Camas Saturday, Aug. 29. The beneficiaries are Washougal resident Kelly Miller, who has battled terminal breast cancer since 2013, and 3-year-old Blake Curtis of Washougal, who is fighting leukemia.

Miller is married and has two children, ages 7 and 9. She has undergone multiple surgeries, treatment and experimental trials to try and reduce the size of the tumors, which have spread through her body.

Curtis is the son of Tim and Ellory, and has a 6-year-old sister. Before he was diagnosed with cancer last year, his family had purchased an older home to renovate, which turned into more than they had bargained for.

“The financial impact of treatment and finding the housing appropriate for Blake and the family has definitely caused stress,” said organizer Elisha Jones.
Money raised at the event will be used in three important ways, she added.

“First, money will go to help with Kelly’s medical expenses as many treatments have not been covered by insurance,” she said. “Money will also go to help Blake and his family with their expenses with treatment. Finally, some money will go towards establishing a non-profit organization to help families impacted by cancer.”

Jones added that having a non-profit would fulfill the Millers’ wish to have an organization that helps others who struggle with cancer. Miller and Jones are best friends.

“This tournament is a part of getting this moving forward,” Jones said. “The Miller family wants to acknowledge how wonderful the community has been in supporting them through this difficult journey…It is the Miller family’s desire to give back through this non-profit so that others may experience the same support and help.”

The cost to participate in the tournament is $25 per person. It is a one-pitch tournament with “mush” balls, and a one-hour time limit per game.

“It is also a family-friendly event with fun activities for all ages and there will be a raffle with many prize options,” Jones said.

Prizes include gift certificates for beauty salons, Cross Fit, Camas Bike and Sport, local restaurants, Family Fun Center and Bullwinkle’s Restaurant in Wilsonville, and product donations from local businesses.

The tournament starts at 8 a.m. and runs until the last game is played. Raffle prizes will be drawn at the end of the event, but participants do not need to be present to win.

Currently, the tournament is about 50 percent full and 60 players are needed. To participate, contact Ryan Baker at rbaker26@gmail.com. Donations to the raffle can be made by contacting Jones at elisha433@gmail.com.