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Sports

Aliso Viejo Girls Softball Hosts Breast Cancer Fundraiser

To raise funds for Breast Cancer Solutions, AVGS will host a Batting for a Cure girls softball tournament.

Chad Hogancamp's mother, Linda, of Aliso Viejo, is a two-time survivor of breast cancer. His daughters play in the Aliso Viejo Girls Softball League. So he and his wife, Yesenia, began to brainstorm and thought that perhaps through softball, their family could give back to those who assist women who have breast cancer.

They created a Memorial Day weekend Batting for a Cure girls softball tournament that will benefit Breast Cancer Solutions, a nonprofit that assists breast cancer patients.

The tournament will take place May 27-29 at Aliso Viejo Community Park. The Hogancamps hope to make the tournament an annual event.

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Chad Hogancamp began thinking about the project last October after he received a newsletter from the Amateur Softball Association. The newsletter said $13,000 was raised for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization during an Oklahoma City softball tournament and eBay sale.

"My wife and I approached the league with an idea for a tournament back in January,"  said Hogancamp. "I was merely looking to do it as a league event to raise awareness. But after talking to others, we found out we were definitely not alone in our family's fight. ... Given that softball is primarily thought of as a female sport and personally having two girls ourselves, ages 4 and 10, this partnership seemed like a perfect fit. The support we have received has been tremendous."  

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The cost of registration is $425 per team of girls ages 8-14. Proceeds,  outside of actual expenses for the tournament plus a percentage of vendor sales, will be donated by AVGS to Breast Cancer Solutions. 

According to its website, "Breast Cancer Solutions is a nonprofit organization that provides breast cancer patients with direct assistance, community referrals and compassionate support." 

They use volunteers, grants, donations and fundraising activities to support their goals:

  • Assist breast cancer patients in need when current income and resources do not meet their basic living needs.
  • Provide an interim financial safety net to assist patients while they are undergoing treatment.
  • Advocate for clients when they can benefit from referrals to other organizations that provide further types of cancer support services.

"We wanted our efforts to support a local organization," said Hogancamp, "one in which the girls ... could really see that they are making a difference in helping. We are very excited about this and hopefully plan for it to become a yearly event."

Oak Grove Elementary School PTA President Catrina Bryant's daughter will be playing in the tournament.

"Our girls are very excited to play and to support Breast Cancer Solutions in this upcoming tournament," Bryant said. "Additionally, leagues from our surrounding cities will be fielding teams, and it looks to be a great family event."

The games begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, games will be played starting at 7:45 a.m. and will continue through late evening.

Volunteers are needed to help work the snack bar on all three days. If you are interested in helping,  e-mail volunteer@breastcancersolutions.org.

For additional information, contact Chad Hogancamp at 949-887-9593 or hogancamp4@yahoo.com.

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