The softball fields at Lower Woodland Park were closed due to rain yesterday afternoon but that didn't keep the Beavers softball program from coming out to hit homers for a cause.

The Ballard High softball teams held a Home Derby for Cancer yesterday to raise money for brain tumor research in support of the Kathi Goertzen Foundation. Kathi Goertzen, long time news anchor, has been battling a brain tumor for over a decade and her daughter, Andrea, pitches for the Ballard team.

The players took pledges for each homerun they hit and each player got ten swings. Coach Kyle Gray said 91 homeruns were hit and the team surpassed their intended goal of $1,500, raising over $5,000 instead.

"I've been doing Free Throws for a Cause at North Seattle Community Colllege where I coach basketball and I've been wanting to start something similar at Ballard to give back to the community," Gray said. "The captains got to decide who it would benefit and obviously this is a personal cause for us. I'm really impressed and proud of these girls for all the work they have done and are continuing to do."

Captain Jamie Thelen, first baseman on the varsity team, spearheaded the idea and proposed that the team would start wearing the Kathi Goertzen Foundation bracelets to show support for pitcher Andrea Jewett and her mom.

"When Jamie heard about Andrea and Kathi she wanted to get the bracelets and somehow it turned into this big thing. It's amazing," said coach and sister, Jessie Thelen. "Jamie has always been a leader. I'm just so proud."

The bracelets read "never say you can't" on one side and "Pray 4 Kathi" on the other.

"I always say, "never say you can't" because regardless of what these girls come to face or what you look like -- half my face doesn't work-- you can still make a huge difference," Kathi Goertzen said.
"It's very special for this coach to teach these girls to give back."

Finding shelter underneath an umbrella, Kathi Goertzen and her husband Rick Jewett came out to cheer on the players.

"It's terrific. There are 32 girls out here hitting for her. We're really fortunate to have these girls," said Rick Jewett. "They're like family."

Jewett said the Kathi Goertzen Foundation started in the hospital waiting room as Goertzen was getting her latest surgery.

"Andrea and our other daughter, Alexis, came up with idea. We had plenty of time to wait so we created these wristbands," he said.

They promoted the wristbands on Facebook and encouraged people to donate any amount for brain tumor research,

"It just took off and we had to stop it because we weren't yet set up as an official foundation," Jewett said.

Perkins Coie Law Firm has since been working pro bono to set up the logistics of the foundation and receive a 501 C3.

"The money is not for our family but for research. We hope to inspire other people with brain tumors to find hope and for research to find a cure," Jewett said.

Goertzen said she had no idea about the response and attention the foundation was getting.

"Rick was behind the whole foundation and I had no idea that so many people care," she said.

"This is a very special group of girls that's for sure," Goertzen said, cheering as the first balls flew over the fence. "They inspire me."

To donate to the foundation or to buy a bracelet, please visit www.kathigoertzen.com.