Hampshire High tournament to benefit woman battling leukemia

After successfully raising funds for Hampshire High School freshman Maria Niño's cochlear device, school officials are hoping to help out another local resident battling leukemia.

Hampshire High School teachers, students and community members collected nearly $22,000 for an external computing device that will help Maria's cochlear implant process sounds.

Maria received a loaner device in December. She will get her new processor next month, officials said.

"It was amazing," said Patti Nihells, physical education teacher and cross-country and track and field coach. "People from all over reached out to help her. It was such a learning experience for all of us. We had people from as far as California and Tennessee send us money."

Nihells said the school's annual dodgeball tournament next month - initially planned as a fundraiser for Maria - now will benefit Hampshire resident Jan Burzak, a mother of two Hampshire High graduates struggling to pay her mounting medical bills.

Burzak, who is battling acute myeloid leukemia, recently underwent a stem-cell transplant and is faring well, Nihells said.

"She has been going through this for the last few years," Nihells said. "She was in remission last summer. We did raise enough money for Maria, so now let's help someone else."

In the six years of the tournament, "every year we have helped somebody," she said.

A gofundme page set up for Burzak by her daughter has a goal of raising $30,000.

"We won't come close to that, but (will do) whatever we can," Nihells said.

Proceeds from the Feb. 19 dodgeball tournament will go toward paying Burzak's medical bills. The deadline to register a team for the tournament is noon Feb. 5. Register by email at patricia.nihells@d300.org to receive an entry form.

Each team can comprise six or more members starting with eighth-graders and older, including parents, neighbors and alumni. The cost per team member is $15, which includes round-robin play, playoffs, T-shirt, and other goodies.

"We probably have about 10 teams right now," said Nihells, who is anticipating more last-minute registrations. "In the past, we've had more adult teams than we've had student teams."

The tournament is 6:30 to 10 p.m. in the field house at the school, 1600 Big Timber Road. Donations also may be made by check to the Hampshire High School Jan Burzak fund.