Hockey tournament to benefit pediatric brain cancer research

The first Ross K. MacNeill Winter TOUGH Hockey Tournament will benefit pediatric brain cancer research in honor of a hockey player and avid fan who died when he was 11.

The tournament, for men ages 10 and older, will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, on the two new outdoor ice rinks at the Wheaton Park District's Central Athletic Complex, 500 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton.

An outdoor beer garden and grill are available for skaters and spectators. Each registered player will play three, 30-minute games in a round-robin tournament.

The event offers a fun, competitive environment where teams battle against each other to win a trophy and help the cause. All proceeds from the TOUGH tournament benefit pediatric brain cancer research. To date, 625 players and several sold out tournaments have raised more than $225,000 for pediatric brain cancer research. In 2017, the foundation is hoping to surpass that number.

Ross was a devoted player who wore number 33 for the Admirals Hockey Club and was an avid Chicago Blackhawks fan who lived his life with joy, strength, courage and selflessness. On May 13, 2013, he died at age 11 of a malignant brain tumor. Ross' family established the foundation to honor his life and ultimate request "to never let another child go through what I went through."

"Ross would love a fun day of hockey competition devoted to the critical cause of stopping pediatric brain cancer," said Kim MacNeill, Ross' mother. "Ross wore a T-shirt emblazoned with 'TOUGH' across the chest. Everyone has tough situations in their life, and we're finding that tough message is inspiring others to raise money for this often fatal disease."

A nonprofit organization established in 2013, the Ross K. MacNeill Foundation is committed to funding the most promising research to find a cure for pediatric brain cancer.

Every day, 13 children are diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer, but childhood cancer research currently receives less than 4 percent of the National Cancer Institute's budget. The disease is fatal for nearly half the children who suffer it. Ross' story has inspired support and donations from more than 29 states.

To learn more about the Ross K. MacNeill Foundation, visit r33m.org.