The Grantsville community organizes a softball game to generate money and awareness for childhood cancer

Grantsville, Utah – September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer in the United States.

According to the National Cancer Institute, only 4% of US funding for cancer research is allocated to pediatric cancers, despite the fact that one in every 260 children will receive a diagnosis.
In response, a group of young ladies got together today to take part in the Wacky Warriors Charity Tournament, an occasion intended to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer, at the Deseret Peak Complex in Grantsville.

The West Valley Outlaws softball team was distinguished from the other 27 teams by the intensity of their cheers.

Coach Ryan Perschon is encouraging his players, stating, “Today we’re out playing softball.” They had to maintain their discipline. They got to enjoy themselves and pay attention to their coaches, according to Perschon.

Even though the squad won its games, having a winning opponent is beneficial.

Erin Heaton has a very personal connection to the competition. At the age of seven, her son Xander received a cancer diagnosis, and after a 14-month battle, he lost suddenly.

“My darling little kid, Zander, fought for 14 months after receiving a diagnosis at the age of seven, and we did everything in our power to… Heaton recalled, “every river, nothing unturned, no rock unturned.”

The Xander Outlaws founded in Xander’s memory.

Three years ago, we took Xander home on hospice care, which is how we first got in touch with the West Valley Fast Pitch Association. However, throughout the past two years, I’ve attended every game and worked in the dugout. I make an effort to limit my coaching,” Heaton said, grinning. “Yet you hope they prevail?” “I do want them to win,” I inquired. What a fantastic set of girls they are. I am the mother of three boys. They’re all the daughters I’ve never had but have always desired.

Twenty-seven teams, each representing a kid impacted by cancer, competed in the competition, which was organized by Becca Ingersoll.

Every squad is assigned a number. They’re known as cancer cuties. Thus, a young person in Utah, a child in the area, who has either battled cancer, is battling cancer, or is an angel fighting cancer,” Ingersoll clarified.

For Ingersoll, the occasion has a deep emotional impact; she makes posters for every youngster.

“I get to meet the moms and the kids as they check in, and the girls that play have such good hearts. It’s been so emotional for me as we make a poster for each of the cancer cuties,” she added.

Every cent that is raised throughout the competition will be used to help kids with cancer.

Heaton stated, “Childhood cancer is sorely, sorely funded,” and Ingersoll concurred, saying, “So we’re really on a crusade to try and get that word out.”

Perschon sees an important lesson for his team as the Outlaws cheer on their team. Teaching the girls that life is about more than just softball is a wonderful idea. For them, this is incredibly enlightening,” he remarked.

Knowing that her kid is keeping an eye on the squad gives Heaton comfort. She remarked, “They are fighting on the field while kids are actually fighting cancer in hospitals.”

That’s the main goal for her and all those engaged. Heaton said, “It’s the family I didn’t know I needed.”

We were informed by the organizers that “please check out our website at https://wackywarriors.org/ if anyone would like to learn more about our organization and/or collaborate with us.”