The Community Foundation holds many funds that serve great causes. There are funds to pay for scholarships, funds to benefit local organizations, and others to assist educational programs. There are also funds to assist those afflicted with specific ailments or diseases. One such new fund at the Community Foundation is The Stephen Pangborn and Willie Davis Memorial Cancer Fund.      

 

Stephen R. Pangborn and Willie A. Hayes were young men who struggled with a form of cancer known as Rhabdomyosarcoma, which is a highly malignant, fast-growing tumor that is seen primarily in the younger population. After continued treatment, both Stephen and Willie ultimately lost their battles. Stephen Pangborn was 17 and Willie Hayes was 18. Jamestown resident, city council member, and founder of the fund, Michael Taylor, also had his own battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma, which he was able to overcome. Due to the shared adversity, an unbreakable link was formed between these three individuals. 

 

In honor and memory of the inspiration, friendship, and legacy that Stephen Pangborn and Willie Hayes left behind, Michael Taylor established The Stephen Pangborn and Willie Hayes Memorial Cancer Fund at the Community Foundation. The purpose of the fund is to assist underinsured cancer patients, with priority given to youth patients. The fund will assist with costs such as transportation, medical co-pays, prescriptions and medicines, post-mortem aid, and many other costs associated with cancer treatment. 

 

In order to raise the monies needed to fully fund The Stephen Pangborn and Willie Hayes Memorial Cancer Fund at the $5,000 active level, Michael Taylor, along with a newly formed committee, created the 1^st Annual Kickball vs. Cancer Tournament. The idea of the event is to have a number of teams comprised of area organizations, businesses, and community citizens meet in fun competition to remember Stephen and Willie and to benefit those with similar ailments. The tournament will be held on the weekend of July 14 and July 15, at Allen Park in Jamestown, and will feature two separate divisions (championship and masters division). The championship division is for the more competitive teams and will play on the 14^th and the masters division is for those teams just looking for some fun. The masters division will play on the 15^th.

 

If you would like to register a team to compete in the 1^st Annual Kickball vs. Cancer Tournament, contact Michael Taylor at 391-7590 or Daniel Warren at 450-1277. The cost to register a team is $150, and your team must have at least 10 players with both males and females represented. Games will be six innings longs, and every team will play at least two games and, perhaps, more if your team advances in the tournament. All proceeds from the event will be donated to The Stephen Pangborn and Willie Hayes Memorial Cancer Fund. 

 

The 1^st Annual Kickball vs.Cancer Tournament is sure to be a truly unique, fun, and exciting event. What’s even more exciting is the cause it is serving to benefit. The Stephen Pangborn and Willie Hayes Memorial Cancer Fund at the Community Foundation will not only help those with ailments get assistance they need, but it will also serve as inspiration and courage due to the two young men it was created for.