The general public is invited to cheer on the competitors Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016. The tournament honors a former ISKC student who fought a valiant battle against cancer before succumbing to the disease.
January 28, 2016 (VMPR) – Palatine, IL. Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs (ISKC) will host the 29th annual Jennifer Malloy Memorial Tournament on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Harper College, 1200 Algonquin Road in Palatine.
The tournament was founded in early 1987 to benefit then ISKC student, Jennifer Malloy and her family. Just 13-years-old at the time, Malloy had been diagnosed with cancer.
One day while she was attending a karate class, Malloy’s father confided in ISKC founder John DiPasquale that he was considering selling their family home to afford his daughter’s experimental treatment. DiPasquale then organized the first ever ‘Jennifer Malloy Kick Against Cancer’ in February of 1987, which raised nearly $70,000 to help her family through their difficult time.
Throughout her battle, Malloy put on a strong front and continued to attend karate classes at Illinois Shotokan Karate Club in Palatine, though she was losing her hair and her treatment was taking a toll on her health. She even travelled out of state to compete in a tournament during that time, and despite all she was up against, she came in third place. Malloy’s fighting spirit throughout her illness, DiPasquale said, was very much in line with the life lessons ISKC teaches all of its students, “to fight through adversity and to never give up.”
Sadly, Malloy passed away a few months later in May of 1987. Then is when DiPasquale decided to keep Malloy’s legacy, alive. Ever since, ISKC has hosted the tournament, where students from the 75 ISKC programs throughout Chicagoland are invited to compete.
A portion of funds raised go to the Jennifer Malloy Scholarship fund, which is awarded to one student at the ISKC annual awards banquet. Funds also help the Families in Need Fund, which assists students whose families are experiencing financial hardship so that they can continue taking karate classes at ISKC.
Area residents are invited to come out and cheer on the many competitors in a variety of categories from ages 4 to 94, who have a range of experience levels and belts. The tournament will be held on Sunday, February 21 with doors opening at 8 a.m. at Harper College’s Wellness and Sports Center, 1200 Algonquin Road in Palatine. Entry fees for spectators are $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and children 5-14, and entry is free for children 4 years of age and younger. For more information, visit http://iskc.com/ or call 847-359-0666.
Media Contact:
Melanie Santostefano
VM Public Relations, a division of Vicarious Productions
312-719-2332
Melanie@vicariousproductions.com
Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs ¨ 327 Eric Drive Palatine, Illinois 60067 ¨ 847-359-0666
info@ISKC.com ¨ www.ISKC.com
