4th Mya Strong tournament ready for action

Let’s have fun and help raise money for a great cause.

That’s the dual purpose of the 4th Annual Mya Strong tournament that will be held at Prospect Meadows this weekend (Oct. 15-16).

Forty-three girls softball teams are ready for this year’s event with competition in 8u, 10u, 12u, 14u, 16u and 18u.

The tournament honors Mya Gilchrist, an Alburnett High School student who has battled cancer since she was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was only 18 months old.

All the money raised from the tournament will be used by the Mya Strong Foundation to help other families and organizations in the fight against cancer.

Brooke Gilchrist, Mya’s mother, says her family greatly appreciates all the support they’ve received over the years, but they wanted to earmark the money for others.

“Many families are not as blessed as we are with the ability to have good jobs, financial stability and an amazing community that surrounds them with unwavering support,” said Brooke. “Mya asked if we could use that money to help others that are not as lucky as we are.

“She said, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if we could just write a check to someone that just received bad news that they have cancer. They could use it for anything they need or want.'”

Over the past three years, Mya Strong has accomplished quite a lot:

  + Helped 11 local cancer families with a financial gift of $500 to $1,000

  + Sponsored three Camp Heart Connection Oncology Cabins at $14,000

  + Donated $1,200 to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City

  + Donated $10,500 to the UIHC Dance Marathon

  + Given seven $500 Mya Strong Character Scholarships to local seniors

Mya Strong T-shirts and sweatshirts can be purchased through their website at MyaStrongFoundation.org. The public also can participate in blood drives. Donations are welcome.

The tournament is scheduled to begin Saturday at 8:30 a.m. on all eight fields at Prospect Meadows.