Heintz Tourney raises funds for Munson

Region

KATIE HEINTZ TOURNEY

• When: Saturday, March 10, starting at 5 p.m. for spaghetti dinner. Basketball games begin at 6:30 p.m.

• Where: St. Francis High School gym, 123 E. 11th St. in Traverse City

• Donation information: Donations accepted at the door. A suggested minimum donation is $5 per person or $20 per family for the tourney and a separate donation for the meal. Pediatric oncology unit donations can be made directly to Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation by calling 935-6482.

• For more information call Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools athletic office at 946-1180.

Related Photos

St. Francis High School student team coach for the Katie Heintz Tourney, Bill Marsh Jr., center, is pictured with Key Club officer Megan Donaldson, left, and Key Club adviser Susan Maasberg. The benefit tournament will be held Saturday at Traverse City St. Francis High School. Special to the Record-Eagle

March 5, 2012

Heintz Tourney raises funds for Munson

7 years later, they still believe in helping

BY CAROL SOUTH Special to the Record-Eagle The Record Eagle Mon Mar 05, 2012, 07:28 AM EST

TRAVERSE CITY-- Keep believing.

Katie Heintz continues to help others years after she died too young.

Participants and spectators flock annually to the Katie Heintz Tourney, named in memory of the 16-year-old St. Francis High School student, athlete and leader who died of leukemia in 2005.

The event takes place Saturday at Traverse City's St. Francis High School. A spaghetti dinner starts at 5 p.m. and faculty-student basketball games kick off at 6:30.

Since 2006, the memorial gathering has raised $60,000 for a pediatric oncology unit now at Munson Medical Center.

Katie's memory both inspires people who never met her and sustains the family and friends who loved her. Her mantra was "keep believing," said father Pat Heintz — a statement of pure, joyous faith that typified his daughter.

"I think it's absolutely amazing that the community comes together and supports such a worthy cause through all these great efforts," said Heintz, the tournament organizer.

When Katie was ill, she had to go downstate for treatment. The tournaments have raised money so other young people can be treated for cancer closer to home.

This year's tournament also will benefit the family of Mary Chittle. Mary, the third eldest of six children, is the young daughter of St. Francis Principal Erick Chittle.

Three weeks ago, Mary began feeling ill but had no visible symptoms. A week later, her family took her to the hospital. Tests revealed a dangerously elevated heart rate, and she was transported to DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Mary was in intensive care for more than 10 days, her parents by her side. Other family members cared for her siblings back home.

This year's tournament features a special fund-raising drive where every dollar donated will be matched to help the Chittles. The family can use the funds to offset mounting medical expenses.

"Mary went from being a seemingly healthy little girl to one who was in a battle for her life in a single day," said Mike Buell, Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools superintendent. "It's any parent's worst nightmare, made even more difficult by the distance involved and the fact that the parents had other children to care for."

As the school network steps in to help the Chittles, tournament organizers invite the wider community to also pitch in.

"It's something we experienced," said Heintz, of the broad and deep support for a family in crisis. "I can't tell you how much we experienced it, and it's great to be able to give back even a small measure."

Members of the high school Key Club host the tournament, with assistance from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Middle School's Builders Club students.

"Our school is really close," said Megan Donaldson, a St. Francis junior and Key Club officer. "Even though we didn't know (Katie) personally, we were all affected by it."