Dodgeball tourney fights brain cancer in memory of Wheaton classmate

It's time to dip, dive, duck, dodge and have a blast as Franklin Middle School in Wheaton hosts its third annual Dodgeball Classic Tournament to benefit the school and the Ross K. MacNeill Foundation.

The Ross K. MacNeill Foundation was organized in memory of Ross K. MacNeill, who died of brain cancer in May 2013 and would have been a seventh-grader at Franklin this year. His foundation was created to fight pediatric cancer, with the goal of finding a cure by 2023.

The tournament runs Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, at Franklin Middle School, 211 E. Franklin Ave., Wheaton.

Last year, the tournament raised more than $15,000 through donations, tournament registration and silent auction. The planning committee, which includes several of Ross' friends, hopes to beat that total this year by adding several new features to the tournament on Thursday, such as teams from local police and fire departments and Northwestern University football players, including Dan Vitale, a graduate of Wheaton Warrenville South High School. On Friday night, parents and other adults will take the court for their matches.

Franklin Assistant Principal Joe Kish says the dodgeball tournament is important because it helps the MacNeill family fulfill the promise they made to their son - to end pediatric brain cancer.

"It also a great reminder to our students that they are part of a larger community and their collective actions make a difference," Kish said.

The tournament will feature a silent auction of items such as a signed Ernie Banks bat and photo and signed Chicago Blackhawks memorabilia.

The event is open to the community and anyone who wishes to register a team or make a donation to find a cure for pediatric brain cancer, can call Kish at (630) 643-2801.