This week, Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund President Kevin Werwie and its Board of Directors presented doctors and staff at Children’s Minnesota with a $256,000 check supporting targeted children’s cancer research efforts for the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorders program in the Upper Midwest.
Funds were raised as part of the 2021 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic at LifeTime in White Bear Lake, Minn. Celebrating its 36th anniversary this year, the event raised almost $350,000 for the cause, the second highest total in tournament history.
“We are so appreciative of all our sponsors, donors, players and volunteers who give so generously each year to continue this important work in partnership with Children’s Minnesota,” Werwie said. “The progress made over the past 36 years – and the positive impact of this research to the children and families impacted by cancer – is simply astounding. We remain steadfast in our commitment to Children’s Minnesota in continuing this targeted research until a cure has been found.”
The allocation of the $256,000 will be divided equally between the Pine Tree Endowment Fund and the Children’s Minnesota Annual Research Program Operating Fund supporting targeted research needs of DICER1 related tumors and coping with the long-term effects of cancer treatment.
In 2020, Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund announced the establishment of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research, and the appointment of Dr. Kris Ann Schultz, scientific director of cancer and blood disorders research at Children’s Minnesota, as its inaugural chair.
“We are grateful for all the ways Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund supports childhood cancer research right here in Minnesota and around the world,” Dr. Schultz said. “Rare cancer and supportive care research efforts funded by Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund have true local impact and global reach. Thanks to this amazing organization, we are learning more about how best to treat childhood cancers, and working to develop more effective and less toxic therapies while keeping kids strong and active throughout their treatment journey.”
“This has been a long-standing partnership for over 30 years between our two organizations,” said Dr. Marc Gorelick, president and CEO of Children’s Minnesota. “The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund is one of our most important donors and fundraisers for our organization, and the amount of time and effort that goes into that fundraising fueled by the passion they have for our mission is amazing.”
Since 1986, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic has raised almost $6.35 million for childhood cancer research efforts at Children’s Minnesota and around the world. The 37th annual tournament is scheduled for August 4-7, 2022, at LifeTime in White Bear, Minn. Details about the tournament, and how to get involved in this amazing event, are available at www.ptacf.org.
About the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund
Established in 2018, the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund (PTACF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to continuing the tradition of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic (PTATC). All proceeds raised through the PTATC are used in supporting pediatric oncology research efforts involving DICER1 rare tumor research, preventing cancer treatment side effects and promoting quality of life. For more details regarding the PTATC and research programs supported by PTACF, please visit www.ptacf.org.
Find us on Facebook @PineTreeAppleClassicFund and on Instagram @ptacforg. Please visit our website at ptacf.org.
About Children’s Minnesota
Children’s Minnesota is the seventh largest pediatric health system in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children’s Minnesota serves kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, nine primary care clinics, multiple specialty clinics and seven rehabilitation sites. As The Kids Experts™, Children’s Minnesota is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children’s hospital.
Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Twitter and Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org.
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