Game On: Wiffle World Series Raises Money to Fight Brain Cancer

Forty-four teams gathered at Waters Field in Vienna Saturday to play a few friendly games of Wiffle ball. More than one hundred others came to watch.

But everyone who was there arrived with the same intentions: to support a local family who lost a son to brain cancer.

The 18th annual Northern Virginia Wiffle World Series, hosted by the 2 Young Foundation with corporate sponsor Van Metre Homes, took place Saturday to support the family of Patrick Purcell, a Viennan who recently passed away from brain cancer. 

The 2 Young Foundation was started in 2004 by Brian Bledell, a brain cancer patient in Vienna who died from the disease shortly after starting the foundation. It's goals are to support families affected by brain cancer, spread awareness of the disease and donate toward research for a cure.

The Wiffle World Series is their largest event of the year; the tournament is held in honor of Bledell, who grew up playing Wiffle ball with Ryan and others with the foundation and in the community. Each year since 2004 the proceeds have gone to a family in the United States affected by brain cancer. 

2 Young Foundation President Michael Ryan said this year's tournament is a special event because the proceeds are going to a family in Vienna.

"This is a special year for the tournament because it's for Pat Purcell from this area," Ryan said. "A lot of people here today knew Pat, grew up playing sports with him and things like that."

Each team registered for the all-day tournament paid an entrance fee, while spectators paid a small cover charge to watch the games. Most of the money raised at the event was donated to the Purcell family to help pay off Patrick's remaining medical bills.

Some proceeds went to the Children's National Medical Center as well. Children's National is the same hospital that treated Gavin Rupp, the Ashburn 13-year-old Ashburn resident who passed away from brain cancer Tuesday.

Also Read: They'll 'Keep Fighting for Him': Cancer Victim Gavin Rupp, 13, Remembered by Hundreds

Games began around 10 a.m. on the four Wiffle-sized fields throughout Waters Field. Players of all ages were allowed to participate, which created some very interesting teams.

"It's cool because you'll have a team of four teenagers go against a team with two guys and a kid and you just play," Ryan said. "And at the end of it someone's going home with trophies. There's playoffs and everything, it's a lot of fun."

In addition to the tournament, there was a "Kids Zone" in the middle of the many games for families to enjoy a moon bounce, face painting, balloon animals and even an appearance by Ronald McDonald. 

The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department also donated space in their station across the street, which became a cafeteria for participants and spectators to chow down and have a drink.

Although only one team went home with trophies, everyone went home a winner. After all, it's more than just a game- it's for a good cause.