November 29, 2023
PTACF Presents Check FOR $340,000 to ChildRen'S minnesota
Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund President Kevin Werwie and its Board of Directors presented doctors and staff at Children’s Minnesota with a check for $340,000 supporting targeted children’s cancer research and rehabilitation efforts for the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorders program in the upper Midwest. Sr. Vice President and Chief Development Officer and President of Children’s Minnesota Foundation Jennifer Soderholm accepted the gift on behalf of Children’s Minnesota.
Funds were raised as part of the 2023 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, which took place August 3-6, 2023, at Life Time in White Bear Lake, Minn. Celebrating its 38th anniversary this year, the event raised over $460,000.
“We are so excited to present one of the largest checks during the 38-year history of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic event to Children's Minnesota,” Werwie said. “We are just so proud to be associated with this great work and can’t thank our players, sponsors, donors and volunteers enough for their generosity and steadfast support. The work that Children's Minnesota continues to do inspires us to keep doing this event. We know our work is not done as we hope to one day find a cure.”
The allocation of the $340,000 will be divided equally ($163,000 each) 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 addition, another $14,000 was earmarked towards the purchase of motion sensor technology selected by Lynn Tanner and Dr. Laura Gilchrist that is critical for the rehabilitation efforts of cancer patients at Children’s Minnesota.
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 as its inaugural chair. Children’s Minnesota has the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorders program in the Upper Midwest, caring for more than 58 percent of children diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders in Minnesota.
“This incredibly generous and forward-thinking support from Pine Tree allows us to continue our research to advance outcomes for kids and adults with DICER1-related cancers worldwide and also supports ongoing supportive care research here at Children's Minnesota," Dr. Schultz said. "This benefits kids from across the Midwest and around the world. Pine Tree truly has local impact and worldwide reach. We are so grateful to each Pine Tree tennis player, donor and volunteer. This research would not be where it is today without you. For how far we have come and for all the work that you continue to make possible, thank you!"
"We are in awe of what Pine Tree accomplishes every year," Soderholm said. "You inspire us, even on those hard days, by knowing that you are making this research and partnership possible and for all that we will accomplish in the years to come. We are truly grateful."
Since 1986, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic has raised over $7.5 million for childhood cancer research efforts at Children’s Minnesota and around the world. The 39th annual tournament is scheduled for August 1-4, 2023, at Life Time in White Bear, Minn. Details about the tournament, and how to get involved in this amazing event, are available at www.ptacf.org.
Funds were raised as part of the 2023 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, which took place August 3-6, 2023, at Life Time in White Bear Lake, Minn. Celebrating its 38th anniversary this year, the event raised over $460,000.
“We are so excited to present one of the largest checks during the 38-year history of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic event to Children's Minnesota,” Werwie said. “We are just so proud to be associated with this great work and can’t thank our players, sponsors, donors and volunteers enough for their generosity and steadfast support. The work that Children's Minnesota continues to do inspires us to keep doing this event. We know our work is not done as we hope to one day find a cure.”
The allocation of the $340,000 will be divided equally ($163,000 each) 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 addition, another $14,000 was earmarked towards the purchase of motion sensor technology selected by Lynn Tanner and Dr. Laura Gilchrist that is critical for the rehabilitation efforts of cancer patients at Children’s Minnesota.
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 as its inaugural chair. Children’s Minnesota has the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorders program in the Upper Midwest, caring for more than 58 percent of children diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders in Minnesota.
“This incredibly generous and forward-thinking support from Pine Tree allows us to continue our research to advance outcomes for kids and adults with DICER1-related cancers worldwide and also supports ongoing supportive care research here at Children's Minnesota," Dr. Schultz said. "This benefits kids from across the Midwest and around the world. Pine Tree truly has local impact and worldwide reach. We are so grateful to each Pine Tree tennis player, donor and volunteer. This research would not be where it is today without you. For how far we have come and for all the work that you continue to make possible, thank you!"
"We are in awe of what Pine Tree accomplishes every year," Soderholm said. "You inspire us, even on those hard days, by knowing that you are making this research and partnership possible and for all that we will accomplish in the years to come. We are truly grateful."
Since 1986, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic has raised over $7.5 million for childhood cancer research efforts at Children’s Minnesota and around the world. The 39th annual tournament is scheduled for August 1-4, 2023, at Life Time in White Bear, Minn. Details about the tournament, and how to get involved in this amazing event, are available at www.ptacf.org.
WHAT A Weekend! Everyone Was Ready To Pine Tree 2023!
2023 Open Champions
Toby Boyer/Diana Bukajeva 
What an incredible weekend! Everyone was so ready to Pine Tree 2023! The tennis was amazing, the weather was perfect except for 5 minutes on Sunday, the food was incredible, the drinks were flowing and everyone had a wonderful time as we have raised over $460,000 for rare cancer research initiatives at Children's Minnesota and over 200 hospitals around the world. |
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What is Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund?
We support targeted cancer research programs at Children’s Minnesota and around the world that not only help children survive, but also to thrive both during and after treatment.
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Your generous donations have helped us make incredible progress in finding a cure. Learn more about the many advances that have been made possible because of the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund.
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Hear the amazing story of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic (PTATC) and learn about the research programs at Children's Minnesota that benefit from funds raised by Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund.
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Funds raised benefit
