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Niles North, Resurrection Play in Tournament in Athlete's Memory

Lady Vikings prepare for Somebody's Hero Thanksgiving Tournament in memory of former player who died of leukemia.

A mere two months after her daughter lost the battle with leukemia, Bridie Meyers sat in the same gym at where she used to watch her daughter play high school basketball games. Only this time, Meyers was watching a basketball tournament in honor of her daughter, Kathy Meyers-Grabemann, in support of leukemia research.

Now, 15 years and 15 tournaments have taken place since that day, and Meyers has not missed a single one of them. The tradition continues as this year's Somebody's Hero Thanksgiving tournament starts today and continues through Nov. 26, with six area teams, including Niles North and Resurrection College Prep, participating.

“Kathy would be so pleased to know this is going on in her name and for her cause,” Meyers said.

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Kathy Meyers-Grabemann,who died at 33, was a wife,  mother, attorney and gifted athlete.  At Niles North, she was a three-sport athlete and a basketball star. She went on to play basketball at Loyola University, and attend law school at the University of Notre Dame.

The tournament was started in 1996, the year she died, in her honor. Coach Joel Kessler aspired to fulfill her vision to continue the battle against leukemia. The tournament has donated all of its proceeds each year since its inaugural event to the Leukemia Research Foundation, based in Wilmette.

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Niles North's Head Girls Basketball Coach Dan Paxson, will direct this year's tournament. Niles North, Johnsburg, Resurrection, Proviso East, Wheeling and Fenwick will all compete for the title and host at least one round of the tournament. The final two rounds will be played at Niles North, during which Meyers will show her support by handing out homemade treats that she makes each year for the event.

Kathy Meyers-Grabemann was first diagnosed with leukemia in September 1995. During her illness, she expressed interest in wanting to continue the fight against the disease after she was cured. She was so touched by the kind treatment she received at that she decided she would give back by contributing to leukemia research.

The tournament is run by volunteers. The freshman players are given the task of running the tournament, while many parents volunteer to staff the concessions, admissions and ticket sales and raffle.

Meyers said she is grateful for the efforts put forth by the team and parents. She feels confident these efforts will lessen the devastation of leukemia on future generations.

“Progress is being made and we will continue to work until we find a cure,” she said.

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