March 6, 2021
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS WHILE SUPPORTING A GREAT CAUSE
Get your organization in front of thousands and support a great cause by sponsoring the 2021 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic. There are many different sponsorship packages with a wide array of benefits to promote your company. Don't see exactly what you are looking for? Contact us and let us work together in finding the best way to effectively promote your organization.
March 5, 2021
2021 PINE Tree APPLE Classic GOal $300,000
The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Board of Directors today announced its fundraising goal of $300,000 for the 2021 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic set for August 5-8 at Life Time Athletic White Bear Lake. All proceeds from the event support children's cancer research initiatives through partnerships with Children's Minnesota.
During its 35-year history, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic and the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund have raised over $6 million for children's cancer research efforts! In 2020, even during a modified event due to COVID-19, the tournament raised an incredible $270,000. On December 3, Board Treasurer Nancy Jacobson presented a check for $208,000 to Dr. Kris Ann Schultz and Children's Minnesota. 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.
In 2020, the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund also 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 the inaugural holder of the position. This is only the third endowed chair named at Children's Minnesota.
Please help in continuing the search for a cure by considering a gift of support in helping us reach our goal! There are many ways to support this incredible cause including:
For more information on how to give, please click here or contact us at ptatc@ptacf.org. We appreciate your consideration.
During its 35-year history, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic and the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund have raised over $6 million for children's cancer research efforts! In 2020, even during a modified event due to COVID-19, the tournament raised an incredible $270,000. On December 3, Board Treasurer Nancy Jacobson presented a check for $208,000 to Dr. Kris Ann Schultz and Children's Minnesota. 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.
In 2020, the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund also 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 the inaugural holder of the position. This is only the third endowed chair named at Children's Minnesota.
Please help in continuing the search for a cure by considering a gift of support in helping us reach our goal! There are many ways to support this incredible cause including:
- Donating online or offline
- Recurring gifts
- Appreciated stocks and securities
- Grants through donor advised funds
- Corporate matching
- IRA required distributions
- In-kind or professional services
- Volunteering and more
For more information on how to give, please click here or contact us at ptatc@ptacf.org. We appreciate your consideration.
March 4, 2021
2021 PINE TREE APPLE TENNIS CLASSIC August 5-8
Mark your calendar to join us on August 5-8, 2021, for the 36th Annual Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic at Life Time Athletic White Bear. Over 100 of the best men's and women's tennis players in the upper Midwest will battle for mixed doubles supremacy, while raising needed funds for ongoing pediatric cancer research initiatives at Children's Minnesota and around the world!
January 22, 2021
See YouR PINE TREE DONATIONS SupPORTING RESEARCH AT Work
Read about the latest research advances made possible by your generous contributions to the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic in this research article about patient-reported outcome measure for CIPN recently published in the Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing. This paper was a collaborative project between the University of Michigan, Indiana University and Children's Minnesota and was supported by Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund.
December 3, 2020
PTACF Presents $208,000 Gift To Children's Minnesota Supporting Targeted Cancer Research
Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund (PTACF) Treasurer Nancy Jacobson today presented doctors and staff at Children’s Minnesota with a check in the amount of $208,000 supporting targeted children’s cancer research efforts at the hospital. Dr. Kris Ann Schultz and Sara Fabian, Annual Giving Officer, accepted the gift on behalf of Children’s Minnesota.
Funds were raised as part of the 2020 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, which took place July 17-August 9, 2020, at a variety of local outdoor tennis facilities in the Twin Cities area. The event, which was celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2020, had a different look and feel than in traditional years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but still raised almost $270,000 for the cause.
“Despite the challenges and restrictions associated with the global pandemic, our tennis players, sponsors, donors and volunteers showed incredible resolve in coming together for this year’s Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic,” Kevin Werwie, Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund President said. “Incredibly, we exceeded our fundraising target, which enables us to continue supporting targeted research programs at Children’s Minnesota at the needed level. We are so grateful for everyone’s commitment to this important cause and to the research team at Children’s Minnesota who continue making tremendous strides in improving outcomes and quality of life for children and families impacted by cancer.”
As part of the 2020 tournament, Children’s Minnesota and PTACF announced the establishment of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research and the appointment of Dr. 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.
“Childhood cancer doesn't stop, even during a pandemic, but thankfully, neither does Pine Tree,” Dr. Schultz said. “Thanks to Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund and the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, as well as the generosity and hard work of the donors, tennis players and volunteers, we have been able to continue critical childhood cancer research right here at Children's Minnesota in collaboration with physicians, kids and families all over the world. We are continuing to learn more about DICER1 related cancers including lung, thyroid, kidney, brain and ovarian cancers, and how to keep kids strong and healthy during and after cancer treatment. These advancements are made possible by PTACF and the worldwide impact of this remarkable group.
Dr. Schultz continued, “I also would be remiss if I did not take a moment to personally honor and thank the late Jason Albrecht, who we lost in November. Jason was the first person known to be diagnosed with Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB), and the first survivor of this aggressive cancer. He endured years of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation at Children’s Minnesota – all the while reaching out to other children and families struggling with similar diagnoses. Jason’s contributions to this work, and his remarkable legacy, continues to inspire our efforts to find more effective and less toxic therapies.”
Since 1986, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic has raised almost $6 million for childhood cancer research at Children’s Minnesota. The 36th Annual tournament is scheduled for August 5-8, 2021, at Life Time Athletic White Bear. 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 2020 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, which took place July 17-August 9, 2020, at a variety of local outdoor tennis facilities in the Twin Cities area. The event, which was celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2020, had a different look and feel than in traditional years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but still raised almost $270,000 for the cause.
“Despite the challenges and restrictions associated with the global pandemic, our tennis players, sponsors, donors and volunteers showed incredible resolve in coming together for this year’s Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic,” Kevin Werwie, Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund President said. “Incredibly, we exceeded our fundraising target, which enables us to continue supporting targeted research programs at Children’s Minnesota at the needed level. We are so grateful for everyone’s commitment to this important cause and to the research team at Children’s Minnesota who continue making tremendous strides in improving outcomes and quality of life for children and families impacted by cancer.”
As part of the 2020 tournament, Children’s Minnesota and PTACF announced the establishment of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research and the appointment of Dr. 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.
“Childhood cancer doesn't stop, even during a pandemic, but thankfully, neither does Pine Tree,” Dr. Schultz said. “Thanks to Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund and the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, as well as the generosity and hard work of the donors, tennis players and volunteers, we have been able to continue critical childhood cancer research right here at Children's Minnesota in collaboration with physicians, kids and families all over the world. We are continuing to learn more about DICER1 related cancers including lung, thyroid, kidney, brain and ovarian cancers, and how to keep kids strong and healthy during and after cancer treatment. These advancements are made possible by PTACF and the worldwide impact of this remarkable group.
Dr. Schultz continued, “I also would be remiss if I did not take a moment to personally honor and thank the late Jason Albrecht, who we lost in November. Jason was the first person known to be diagnosed with Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB), and the first survivor of this aggressive cancer. He endured years of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation at Children’s Minnesota – all the while reaching out to other children and families struggling with similar diagnoses. Jason’s contributions to this work, and his remarkable legacy, continues to inspire our efforts to find more effective and less toxic therapies.”
Since 1986, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic has raised almost $6 million for childhood cancer research at Children’s Minnesota. The 36th Annual tournament is scheduled for August 5-8, 2021, at Life Time Athletic White Bear. Details about the tournament, and how to get involved in this amazing event, are available at www.ptacf.org.
November 6, 2020
PTACF Mourns Passing Of Board Member Jason Albrecht
From a young age, Jason Albrecht engaged whole-heartedly across the spectrum of challenges and delights that life set before him.
As a 7-year old, Jason was the first person known to be diagnosed with a rare and aggressive children’s cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB). He endured years of major surgeries, chemo, and radiation at Children’s Minnesota – all the while reaching out to other children and families struggling with difficult diagnoses and treatments and bonding with his caregivers. His experience of those years shaped him indelibly to bring compassion, imagination, and innovation to patients, families, and medical professionals alike in his chosen career in the world of pediatric hospital healthcare.
Building on his experience as a Child Life Family specialist, he embraced the opportunity to be part of building a new, state of the art children’s hospital with fervor and dedication and is now acknowledged by hospital leaders as being the core of the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital’s “DNA.” He developed, taught, and implemented principles for putting the patient and family at the very center of the care team, for treating the whole person rather than a mere disease. Whether focused on palliative care, end of life comfort measures for patients and families, bereavement, patient room design, technologies to support patient/family connections to home and the broader community, or building a distinct culture of patient-centered philanthropy, no barrier was a match for his passion to improve systems, processes, and resources to improve patient care and experience.
Jason was a quiet, introspective, humble presence among his colleagues, but his insights and ideas had an oversized impact. Child Family Life colleagues, nurses, physicians, chaplains, and many others benefitted from the mentoring that arose from the principles about holistic patient-centered care and human-centered design that he held so dear. It is no wonder that his voice and vision were welcomed at a broad range of national conferences, addressing everything from hospice and palliative care to hospital design to the imaginative employment of technologies – all to help adults provide effective and soothing care for hospitalized children. Even in the depths of his illness these last few months, his passion could not be stilled: when he was unable to speak, he shared notes about his own observations and experiences with the firm intention of continuing to contribute to the arc of process improvement in the hospital.
Jason’s commitment to and success in the hospital world was solid – but that didn’t overshadow the other parts of his life. His first degree was from the University of Minnesota's College of Natural Resources, a B.S. in Recreational Resource Management, a field of education that mirrored his extraordinary and enduring passion for anything outdoors. A man of all seasons, he loved hunting, fishing, skiing, and camping. Jason’s father, “Popps,” witnessed the glory of Jason’s childhood recovery and determination when he took him skiing in Utah. Despite 1.2 lungs and the thin mountain air, Jason conquered every slope in front of him and progressed to blast through the snow with abandon. His wilderness excursions were all-or-nothing life experiences – especially when he could get off the trail in the Boundary Waters, such as for the ice fishing that required a backcountry ski traverse of 8 hours.
No matter how tired he might be from work, hunting and fishing could always spike his energy and imagination – much less provide feasts to gather family and friends to share the tales of adventures and misadventures alike. His love of wilderness was perhaps never so well engaged and expressed as it was when it also became the setting for his love of scouting, his passion for teaching the next generation survival skills and joyful respect for beautiful wild spaces.
Along the way, Jason also built beautiful furniture and remarkable scale models of World War II fighter planes. He brought an old 1.5 horsepower outboard motor from his maternal grandfather back to life. He built and flew electric radio-controlled aircraft and was a great fan of autobiographical accounts by WWII pilots and biographies of wilderness explorers.
Jason’s kind, steady, inviting demeanor -- as well as his keen intelligence and irrepressible sense of humor -- drew many into the circle of friendship. Colleagues, neighbors, and acquaintances made in every sphere of his life became part of the great cast of characters he befriended and loved.
But at the center of all Jason’s professional, wilderness, historical and other interests was the family he loved above all else. People in all the other circles in his life would see him light up again and again as he spoke spiritedly and often of his wife, Carla, and their three children Erika, Anneka, and Nicklas. Family camping excursions – whether at a nearby destination or in far-flung state parks – brought him untold delight. Participating in scouting events and supporting the school musicals Carla, Erika, Anneka, and Nicklas all took part in amused, energized, and satisfied him deeply. Tales about experiences with his children were laced with pride at their initiative, courage, insight, and tenacity. He so enjoyed those occasions when Carla and the children were generous volunteer “actors” for various brochures or videos he produced for the hospital, relishing each time one of those hospital projects came across his field of attention at work as a precious moment to realize how much they were the stars in the story of his life.
Jason was the first known survivor of PPB. Thanks to the drastic therapeutic interventions that saved his life at a time when all the other children in his illness cohort died, Jason enjoyed 43 more years of life, including 28 years of marriage to Carla and 25 years of challenging, rewarding work as an employee of Fairview Health Services. But those lifesaving measures so many years ago also took a toll on his body that could ultimately not be surmounted, even with the months of great effort and skill expended on his behalf at the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center and St. Joseph’s long-term acute care hospital.
Jason’s heroic efforts over the last months to regain the health necessary for him to return to the life he cherished and longed for with his family came to an end the evening of November 2 with them at his side. He lived and died in the assurance of God’s eternal love.
Jason is survived by his wife, Carla; his children, Erika, Nicklas, and Anneka; his mother Sue (Dan) Horsley; his father Bob (Marge) Brown; his sister Kim (Charlie) Handren; his niece Rachel Handren; his cousin Bobby Brown.
In lieu of flowers, these suggestions for memorials for Jason highlight 1) the ravaging Pleuropulmonary Blastoma he survived, 2) the passion he brought to his innovative and impactful hospital work, and 3) the welfare of his family.
As a 7-year old, Jason was the first person known to be diagnosed with a rare and aggressive children’s cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB). He endured years of major surgeries, chemo, and radiation at Children’s Minnesota – all the while reaching out to other children and families struggling with difficult diagnoses and treatments and bonding with his caregivers. His experience of those years shaped him indelibly to bring compassion, imagination, and innovation to patients, families, and medical professionals alike in his chosen career in the world of pediatric hospital healthcare.
Building on his experience as a Child Life Family specialist, he embraced the opportunity to be part of building a new, state of the art children’s hospital with fervor and dedication and is now acknowledged by hospital leaders as being the core of the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital’s “DNA.” He developed, taught, and implemented principles for putting the patient and family at the very center of the care team, for treating the whole person rather than a mere disease. Whether focused on palliative care, end of life comfort measures for patients and families, bereavement, patient room design, technologies to support patient/family connections to home and the broader community, or building a distinct culture of patient-centered philanthropy, no barrier was a match for his passion to improve systems, processes, and resources to improve patient care and experience.
Jason was a quiet, introspective, humble presence among his colleagues, but his insights and ideas had an oversized impact. Child Family Life colleagues, nurses, physicians, chaplains, and many others benefitted from the mentoring that arose from the principles about holistic patient-centered care and human-centered design that he held so dear. It is no wonder that his voice and vision were welcomed at a broad range of national conferences, addressing everything from hospice and palliative care to hospital design to the imaginative employment of technologies – all to help adults provide effective and soothing care for hospitalized children. Even in the depths of his illness these last few months, his passion could not be stilled: when he was unable to speak, he shared notes about his own observations and experiences with the firm intention of continuing to contribute to the arc of process improvement in the hospital.
Jason’s commitment to and success in the hospital world was solid – but that didn’t overshadow the other parts of his life. His first degree was from the University of Minnesota's College of Natural Resources, a B.S. in Recreational Resource Management, a field of education that mirrored his extraordinary and enduring passion for anything outdoors. A man of all seasons, he loved hunting, fishing, skiing, and camping. Jason’s father, “Popps,” witnessed the glory of Jason’s childhood recovery and determination when he took him skiing in Utah. Despite 1.2 lungs and the thin mountain air, Jason conquered every slope in front of him and progressed to blast through the snow with abandon. His wilderness excursions were all-or-nothing life experiences – especially when he could get off the trail in the Boundary Waters, such as for the ice fishing that required a backcountry ski traverse of 8 hours.
No matter how tired he might be from work, hunting and fishing could always spike his energy and imagination – much less provide feasts to gather family and friends to share the tales of adventures and misadventures alike. His love of wilderness was perhaps never so well engaged and expressed as it was when it also became the setting for his love of scouting, his passion for teaching the next generation survival skills and joyful respect for beautiful wild spaces.
Along the way, Jason also built beautiful furniture and remarkable scale models of World War II fighter planes. He brought an old 1.5 horsepower outboard motor from his maternal grandfather back to life. He built and flew electric radio-controlled aircraft and was a great fan of autobiographical accounts by WWII pilots and biographies of wilderness explorers.
Jason’s kind, steady, inviting demeanor -- as well as his keen intelligence and irrepressible sense of humor -- drew many into the circle of friendship. Colleagues, neighbors, and acquaintances made in every sphere of his life became part of the great cast of characters he befriended and loved.
But at the center of all Jason’s professional, wilderness, historical and other interests was the family he loved above all else. People in all the other circles in his life would see him light up again and again as he spoke spiritedly and often of his wife, Carla, and their three children Erika, Anneka, and Nicklas. Family camping excursions – whether at a nearby destination or in far-flung state parks – brought him untold delight. Participating in scouting events and supporting the school musicals Carla, Erika, Anneka, and Nicklas all took part in amused, energized, and satisfied him deeply. Tales about experiences with his children were laced with pride at their initiative, courage, insight, and tenacity. He so enjoyed those occasions when Carla and the children were generous volunteer “actors” for various brochures or videos he produced for the hospital, relishing each time one of those hospital projects came across his field of attention at work as a precious moment to realize how much they were the stars in the story of his life.
Jason was the first known survivor of PPB. Thanks to the drastic therapeutic interventions that saved his life at a time when all the other children in his illness cohort died, Jason enjoyed 43 more years of life, including 28 years of marriage to Carla and 25 years of challenging, rewarding work as an employee of Fairview Health Services. But those lifesaving measures so many years ago also took a toll on his body that could ultimately not be surmounted, even with the months of great effort and skill expended on his behalf at the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center and St. Joseph’s long-term acute care hospital.
Jason’s heroic efforts over the last months to regain the health necessary for him to return to the life he cherished and longed for with his family came to an end the evening of November 2 with them at his side. He lived and died in the assurance of God’s eternal love.
Jason is survived by his wife, Carla; his children, Erika, Nicklas, and Anneka; his mother Sue (Dan) Horsley; his father Bob (Marge) Brown; his sister Kim (Charlie) Handren; his niece Rachel Handren; his cousin Bobby Brown.
In lieu of flowers, these suggestions for memorials for Jason highlight 1) the ravaging Pleuropulmonary Blastoma he survived, 2) the passion he brought to his innovative and impactful hospital work, and 3) the welfare of his family.
- The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund provides vital information to cancer specialists around the world and supports the healing of the patient’s whole body when receiving treatment at Children’s Minnesota. Jason was an eager supporter of their efforts. To donate online with a credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express): ptacf.org. Checks may be sent to Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund, Attention: Nancy Jacobson, 450 Apple Orchard Road, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
- The M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital fund supports much of what Jason was passionately involved with: patient and family programming and services at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, including child-family life services, integrative health programs, patient/family events, and more: https://makingagift.umn.edu/give/fund.html?id=11442#0. Or go to https://www.mhealth.org/childrens/giving-and-volunteering-pediatric for other fund options.
- The Jason Albrecht Fund at GoFundMe was one that Jason was particularly cheered by, given looming family expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jason-albrecht-fund.
August 11, 2020
Children’s Minnesota Physician Dr. Kris Ann Schultz Appointed Inaugural Holder of Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research
Children’s Minnesota and Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund (PTACF) have announced the appointment of Dr. Kris Ann Schultz as the inaugural holder of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research. 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.
Since 1986, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic has raised almost $6 million for childhood cancer research at Children’s Minnesota. Through these efforts, Children’s Minnesota has become internationally recognized for collaborative rare tumor and supportive care research which has increased survival rates and improved quality of life for children with cancer in Minnesota and around the world.
“Congratulations to Dr. Schultz on this distinguished honor which will provide consistent financial support for her research and transform the lives of our patients and patients around the world,” said Dr. Marc Gorelick, president and CEO of Children’s Minnesota. “We are grateful to Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund for their long-standing support. Their generosity helps accelerate Dr. Schultz’ research to pursue breakthrough treatments and care for patients.”
“This work has been a remarkable partnership between very inspiring kids with childhood cancer, their families who have so generously shared their journey and this amazing group of dedicated volunteers and donors,” said Dr. Schultz. “This partnership is the key to Pine Tree’s mission—to lessen the suffering caused by childhood cancer. I feel so honored and grateful to be a part of the amazing stories of these children and this remarkable organization.”
Dr. Schultz is the first Endowed Chair holder in the Cancer and Blood Disorders program of Children’s Minnesota. She is the Principal Investigator for the International Pleuropulmonary BlastomaDICER1 Registry and the Principal Investigator and founder of the International Ovarian and Testicular Stromal Tumor Registry. Both Registries are based at Children’s Minnesota. Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare lung cancer that occurs in young children. Research from Children’s Minnesota and other collaborating institutions has shown that PPB is linked to changes in a gene called DICER1, which serves as a dimmer switch for cell proliferation. Dr. Schultz leads a global team to discover how to best treat the three main types of PPB and other DICER1-related cancers in children and adults with the goal of developing treatment plans tailored to the individual needs of patients. This work has also led to the development of surveillance guidelines with the ultimate goal of detecting DICER1-related cancers in their earliest and most curable form. Dr. Schultz is the principal investigator of an R01 grant funded by the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health focused on the role of circulating tumor DNA in management of PPB.
“Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund is proud to fund an Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research at Children's Minnesota and could not be more excited by the appointment of Dr. Schultz for the Chair position,” said Kevin Werwie, President of Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund. “Dr. Schultz is a talented clinician, researcher, collaborator and leader and so deserving of this honor. This Endowed Chair ensures the targeted research we have supported through our Pine Tree donor community over the past 35 years continues for many years to come."
The Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic was created in 1986 by Ron and Mary Ann Peterson when their 12-year-old daughter Julieann was diagnosed with leukemia. Julieann was treated at Children’s Minnesota and survived. Grateful for the care their daughter received at Children’s Minnesota, the Petersons established the mixed doubles tennis tournament with a mission to raise funds and support research to lessen the suffering caused by pediatric cancer. The Jacobson family of the Pine Tree Apple Orchard stepped in to provide the funds to establish the event.
“I remain so inspired by this dedicated group of volunteers, tennis players and donors whose generosity and hard work has led to groundbreaking discoveries for children and adults with cancer including DICER1 related cancers. It’s exciting to think of the amazing advancements yet to come, thanks to this incredible partnership,” said Dr. Schultz.
Since 1986, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic has raised almost $6 million for childhood cancer research at Children’s Minnesota. Through these efforts, Children’s Minnesota has become internationally recognized for collaborative rare tumor and supportive care research which has increased survival rates and improved quality of life for children with cancer in Minnesota and around the world.
“Congratulations to Dr. Schultz on this distinguished honor which will provide consistent financial support for her research and transform the lives of our patients and patients around the world,” said Dr. Marc Gorelick, president and CEO of Children’s Minnesota. “We are grateful to Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund for their long-standing support. Their generosity helps accelerate Dr. Schultz’ research to pursue breakthrough treatments and care for patients.”
“This work has been a remarkable partnership between very inspiring kids with childhood cancer, their families who have so generously shared their journey and this amazing group of dedicated volunteers and donors,” said Dr. Schultz. “This partnership is the key to Pine Tree’s mission—to lessen the suffering caused by childhood cancer. I feel so honored and grateful to be a part of the amazing stories of these children and this remarkable organization.”
Dr. Schultz is the first Endowed Chair holder in the Cancer and Blood Disorders program of Children’s Minnesota. She is the Principal Investigator for the International Pleuropulmonary BlastomaDICER1 Registry and the Principal Investigator and founder of the International Ovarian and Testicular Stromal Tumor Registry. Both Registries are based at Children’s Minnesota. Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare lung cancer that occurs in young children. Research from Children’s Minnesota and other collaborating institutions has shown that PPB is linked to changes in a gene called DICER1, which serves as a dimmer switch for cell proliferation. Dr. Schultz leads a global team to discover how to best treat the three main types of PPB and other DICER1-related cancers in children and adults with the goal of developing treatment plans tailored to the individual needs of patients. This work has also led to the development of surveillance guidelines with the ultimate goal of detecting DICER1-related cancers in their earliest and most curable form. Dr. Schultz is the principal investigator of an R01 grant funded by the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health focused on the role of circulating tumor DNA in management of PPB.
“Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund is proud to fund an Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research at Children's Minnesota and could not be more excited by the appointment of Dr. Schultz for the Chair position,” said Kevin Werwie, President of Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund. “Dr. Schultz is a talented clinician, researcher, collaborator and leader and so deserving of this honor. This Endowed Chair ensures the targeted research we have supported through our Pine Tree donor community over the past 35 years continues for many years to come."
The Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic was created in 1986 by Ron and Mary Ann Peterson when their 12-year-old daughter Julieann was diagnosed with leukemia. Julieann was treated at Children’s Minnesota and survived. Grateful for the care their daughter received at Children’s Minnesota, the Petersons established the mixed doubles tennis tournament with a mission to raise funds and support research to lessen the suffering caused by pediatric cancer. The Jacobson family of the Pine Tree Apple Orchard stepped in to provide the funds to establish the event.
“I remain so inspired by this dedicated group of volunteers, tennis players and donors whose generosity and hard work has led to groundbreaking discoveries for children and adults with cancer including DICER1 related cancers. It’s exciting to think of the amazing advancements yet to come, thanks to this incredible partnership,” said Dr. Schultz.
August 9, 2020
2020 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Results: Nelson/Wernet Win First Open Title
Congratulations to third-seeded Tobias Wernet and Lexi Nelson, who took home their first Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Open Division title with a stunning 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-5 comeback victory over top seeds and defending champions Tooli Wilkins and Julian Dehn at Life Time White Bear. Wernet/Nelson were down 5-2 in the third set, before stringing together five straight games and winning the championship.
In the Masters Division, Meghan Kimber and Kevin Werwie won their third straight title with a 6-3, 6-2 win over #3 seed Amy Dale and Justen Seim. After winning the first set and up 2-1 in the second set, the skies opened up causing the matches to be moved from Bethel University to Life Time White Bear. Once arriving at Life Time WBL, Kimber/Werwie won four of the next five games in claiming the championship.
In the Grand Masters, Leslie Gale and Bryan Biever won their first-ever Pine Tree championship with a 6-1, 6-2 win over defending champions Kathy Bjornson and Bob Marolt.
This year's event, which adopted a new format following guidance from federal and state health agencies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic was held over a three-week period with first and second round matches played at a local park or club of the players’ choosing before playing the semifinals and finals at Bethel University on August 8-9.
Although it was a different format, the tournament still benefited a great cause - pediatric oncology research at Children's Minnesota! So far in 2020, the tournament has raised over $270,000. There is still time to donate by visiting www.ptacf.org.
To see all of the incredible photos from the event, please visit our Facebook or Instagram pages (Keyword: PTACForg).
In the Masters Division, Meghan Kimber and Kevin Werwie won their third straight title with a 6-3, 6-2 win over #3 seed Amy Dale and Justen Seim. After winning the first set and up 2-1 in the second set, the skies opened up causing the matches to be moved from Bethel University to Life Time White Bear. Once arriving at Life Time WBL, Kimber/Werwie won four of the next five games in claiming the championship.
In the Grand Masters, Leslie Gale and Bryan Biever won their first-ever Pine Tree championship with a 6-1, 6-2 win over defending champions Kathy Bjornson and Bob Marolt.
This year's event, which adopted a new format following guidance from federal and state health agencies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic was held over a three-week period with first and second round matches played at a local park or club of the players’ choosing before playing the semifinals and finals at Bethel University on August 8-9.
Although it was a different format, the tournament still benefited a great cause - pediatric oncology research at Children's Minnesota! So far in 2020, the tournament has raised over $270,000. There is still time to donate by visiting www.ptacf.org.
To see all of the incredible photos from the event, please visit our Facebook or Instagram pages (Keyword: PTACForg).
January 7, 2020
Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Supports Children’s Cancer Research With $220,000 Gift To Children’s Minnesota
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund (PTACF) Board presented Children’s Minnesota staff with a check for $220,000 from funds raised at the 2019 PTATC tournament.
We’re grateful to the players, sponsors, donors and volunteers that make the PTATC so successful. Because of them, we are able to support targeted research programs at Children’s Minnesota that are benefiting children here in Minnesota and around the world,” said Kevin Werwie, Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund president.
Dr. Kris Ann Schultz, Medical Research Representative at Children’s Minnesota said, “Children who undergo treatment for cancer deserve to not only survive their disease, but also to thrive both during and after treatment. Pine Tree funded research supports both of these critical goals. We are so grateful.”
We’re grateful to the players, sponsors, donors and volunteers that make the PTATC so successful. Because of them, we are able to support targeted research programs at Children’s Minnesota that are benefiting children here in Minnesota and around the world,” said Kevin Werwie, Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund president.
Dr. Kris Ann Schultz, Medical Research Representative at Children’s Minnesota said, “Children who undergo treatment for cancer deserve to not only survive their disease, but also to thrive both during and after treatment. Pine Tree funded research supports both of these critical goals. We are so grateful.”