Over $14,500 raised at Arnie Isberg Memorial 1-pitch tournament

The annual Arnie Isberg Memorial 1-pitch Tournament raised $14,556.60 for the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation’s cancer diagnostic and treatment fund.

Kerri Laurin, Arnie Isberg Memorial 1-Pitch Tournament volunteer, and Kelly Amboe, executive director of the FSJ Hospital Foundation. (FSJ Hospital Foundation)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The annual Arnie Isberg Memorial 1-pitch Tournament raised $14,556.60 for the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation’s cancer diagnostic and treatment fund.

The event, held at the Taylor Ball Diamonds from June 23rd to 25th, was organized by volunteers and led by tournament chair Jennifer McBride and long-time volunteer Kerri Laruin.

Since the tournament began in 2012, $178,000 has been raised for the cancer diagnostic and treatment fund.

Kerri Laurin presenting Vance Shawcheck with the Dan Sumo Ruttan Award for 2023. (Kerri Laurin)

“We are immensely grateful for the extraordinary support we have received,” Laurin said.

“The success of this tournament would not be possible without the unwavering commitment of our sponsors, the tireless efforts of our volunteers, and the continuous generosity of the participating teams.”

The S’Mores Bombs Team in costume tournament (Kerri Laurin)

The event was initially organized in memory of Arnie Isberg, who passed away from cancer. Isberg’s friend, Dan Ruttan, passed away eight days before the first tournament twelve years ago. Now, the tournament is held in both their memories.

The tournament fundraises for the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation’s cancer diagnostic and treatment fund. The fund is generally utilized to purchase Fort St. John Hospital’s cancer clinic equipment.