Kickball tournament in Rices Landing to raise money for local children with cancer
Colby Simkovic, left, a freshman at Jefferson-Morgan, poses with the winning team “Believe” after the Colby’s Stars Foundation’s annual Kicking Cancer’s Butt Kickball Tournament in Rices Landing last year. The event raises money for local children battling cancer, as Colby did seven years ago.
A group of Jefferson-Morgan High School students pose as the “Grass Kickers” after the Colby’s Stars Foundation’s annual Kicking Cancer’s Butt Kickball Tournament in Rices Landing last year.
A player slides into home during last year’s Colby’s Stars Foundation Kicking Cancer’s Butt Kickball Tournament in Rices Landing.
A player kicks the ball during last year’s Colby’s Stars Foundation Kicking Cancer’s Butt Kickball Tournament in Rices Landing.
The story of Tavion Terry is heartbreaking. The young Wind Ridge boy, who loved Batman and Legos, died April 22 – his 7th birthday – from an inoperable brain tumor.
“His family and friends were there and we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him,” said Tavion’s mother, Desiree Burns. “He wasn’t really responsive that day, but I think he knew everyone was there.”
Tavion died at 11:55 p.m.
Tavion’s story, unfortunately, is not unusual. The many cases of childhood cancer in Greene County and elsewhere are the reason why hundreds of people will gather in Rices Landing Saturday morning to “kick cancer’s butt.”
It will be the third annual Kicking Cancer’s Butt Kickball Tournament at the Rices Landing Athletic Club Field put on by the Colby’s Stars Foundation, a local nonprofit that raises money for local children with cancer and their families.
“Even 10 years ago, you didn’t really hear about kids getting cancer. Adults get cancer,” said Jefferson Township resident Carrie Simkovic, who started the foundation.
Her son Colby Simkovic was 8 years old in 2010, when he was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer. He underwent treatment in Memphis, Tenn., for seven months. He’s now cancer free and a freshman at Jefferson-Morgan High School.
Carrie Simkovic said she realizes how “blessed” her family is that Colby has recovered. Especially, she said, since she knows many other families still battling childhood cancer and mothers like Burns, who have lost their children to the disease.
“Her worst nightmare is my biggest fear,” Simkovic said about Burns.
Tavion was diagnosed May 13, 2016, with a childhood brain tumor known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG. It’s considered a rare condition, but he’s not the only child in Greene County to die from it recently. Max Cunningham, 12, of Aleppo Township, died from the disease in May 2015.
The week after Tavion was diagnosed last year, Simkovic’s kickball tournament brought in $15,000, most of which the foundation gave to Burns for travel and other expenses.
“Until you’re in this situation, I don’t think you realize the expenses,” Burns said. “His life expectancy was nine months, so I quit my job. Carrie has been a great support through this last year. They’ve been there for us over the past year whenever we needed anything.”
Tavion did radiation treatment at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. It shrunk the tumor long enough for Tavion’s family to have a Make-A-Wish, Florida vacation to Lego Land, Disney World and Seaworld, but the radiation could not cure him.
“It buys you time,” Burns said. “But the tumor always comes back and it comes back very aggressive.”
On April 15, Tavion celebrated his birthday early at Chuck E. Cheese’s, a week before he died. His family and friends are honoring him by participating in the kickball tournament to help other families that are going through what they’ve been through.
Simkovic said that’s the very reason why her family started the foundation.
“My son realizes the need to pay it forward,” she said. “It’s just what you do.”
She said the foundation began as a small fundraising campaign that her family started in 2010 when Colby was diagnosed. They needed help with travel and treatment expenses.
“My family’s always stepped up to help anyone in need, so it was odd when we were on the receiving end,” Simkovic said. “It was a very humbling experience.”
After doctors announced Colby was cancer free, they decided to become a nonprofit and help other families with childhood cancer in the tri-county area. Since 2010, they’ve raised more than $100,000 and their annual kickball tournament has quickly become their biggest fundraiser.
“We were going to do it every other year, but unfortunately, there’s such a need in this area,” she said. “Unfortunately, cancer’s not going away.”
Simkovic said the money from the tournament this year will go to four different families battling childhood cancer, three in Greene County and one in Washington County. She said they purchase things for the family, depending on their needs and the child’s wishes. In the past, they’ve purchased Disney World gift cards, a swing set, even home internet service so children too sick to attend school can be homeschooled.
“Every dollar raised gets paid to kids in the area battling cancer,” she said. “Anything to put a smile on their face as they battle this disease.”
She said this year will be the biggest tournament they’ve had yet, with 27 adult teams, 6 youth teams and 5 fields to play on.
“We were humbled that it has grown this much in a year,” Simkovic said. “I think this area realizes that kids are our future.”
They will also have 100 Chinese auction baskets and bigger items to raffle off like Steelers and concert tickets. She said the tournament will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and the teams are guaranteed to play at least two games.
Anyone who can’t attend the tournament but would like to make a donation, can contact Simkovic by email at www.colbysstarsfoundation@windstream.net or call her at 724-998-5116.