A young basketballer fighting cancer will have a tournament played in his honour next month.
Braedan Killender-Brennan, who played for the Lightning under-18s team in then, was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer.
The 16 year-old’s teammates banded together to organise the Braedan’s Three Versus Three fundraising tournament for July 10.
“I’ve been playing basketball since I was six in Melton, then moved out to Bacchus Marsh and started playing for the Lightning,” Braedan said.
“Since my diagnosis, every day has its ups and downs but I still play when I can.
“It’s overwhelming and unexpected to have a tournament played for me.”
Teammates Brodie Coots-Najer and Nicholas Hibberd said they wanted to do something to help Braedan and his family.
“We have all played together for a long time,” Brodie said.
“Recently, we played in a fundraising tournament and when we found out about Braedon’s diagnosis we asked management if we could host a tournament ourselves.”
Association president Paul Wilson said Braeden’s diagnosis resonated throughout the basketball community.
“This was an extremely sad and very unfortunate occurrence, and especially so for Braedan’s parents, family and those closest to him,” he said.
Mr Wilson said the committee had been working for the past six weeks to ensure the event was full of fun, entertainment and quality basketball.
“This was a no brainer,” he said.
“This particular family has been members of this association since our beginning.
“We will all do our best to raise as much cash as possible to assist them cope with whatever journey is now in front of them.
“We have a great day organised, which we really want to be a huge success … most of all to let Braedan know that we as a community are totally with him on this journey.
“The Bacchus Marsh basketball community is a closely connected group and we expect great support from all our members for this very worthwhile event.”
To register a team or to offer support for the event, to be held at the Bacchus Marsh Leisure Centre, from 8am on July 10, contact Renae Sladek on 0418 146 668.
