The Chatham-Kent Wildcats are teaming up to host a basketball tournament fundraiser for a team member's sibling who is battling brain cancer.
The #MatteoIsAHero Basketball Tournament Fundraiser will be held inside the McGregor Secondary School gymnasium on March 23 and 24.
Games begin at 9 a.m. with the last game starting at 4:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
The team is raising money for Matteo, a 5-year-old who was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma in May 2023.
"One of the kids on our team, his brother is battling cancer," said Wildcats Coach Cesar Torres. "As a basketball community, as a family, we had a meeting with the parents and said we wanted to do something."
Medulloblastoma is a common type of cancerous brain tumor often found in children. Matteo's disease has recently progressed and another small tumor has been discovered.
"We're trying to help one of our own," said Torres.
To help raise money, there will be a concession sale featuring pizza, drinks, baked goods, and more.
"We're going to have a bunch of raffles," said Torres. "People have donated a bunch of stuff that we're going to raffle."
All the proceeds raised will go directly to the family to help out Matteo.
Youth basketball teams from all over southwestern Ontario will be competing in the tournament.
"It's been overwhelming to see the support we have received," said Torres.
Anyone who would like to donate but can't make it out to the tournament can do so via e-transfer by sending it to Chadb1987@icloud.com
