Statewide High School Baseball Tournament to benefit Happy Wheels in honor of Kennedy Branham

South Carolina high school baseball and the Lexington/Columbia community is preparing to celebrate the life and legacy of Kennedy Branham beginning Thursday, March 3, 2016 through Sunday, March 6, 2016.  The 2016 Natur Chem Invitational includes high school baseball teams from all around the state.

Happy Wheels is a nonprofit organization that delivers new toys and books to hospitalized children in 3 South Carolina children’s hospitals. Kennedy Branham was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer one week before her 13^th birthday (February 23) in 2012 and attended Lexington High School.  Kennedy was a Happy Wheels recipient during her battle with cancer and chose the organization as her memorial.  In her memory, a designation was established within Happy Wheels, Kennedy’s Kids.

In recognition of Kennedy and what would have been her 17^th birthday, Lexington High School is designating their March 4^th matchup with Spring Valley to “Going Grey For Kennedy.”  $12.00 t-shirts are being sold and all proceeds from the sale of the shirts are being donated to Happy Wheels in honor of Kennedy’s Kids.  Lexington High School will also be accepting donations to Happy Wheels at all games during the 4-day tournament.  Friday’s game against Spring Valley will be played at Lexington High School and Kennedy’s mother (Erin) and younger brother (Parker) will be tossing out the first pitch.  The semi-final and final round of games will be played at the Lexington County Stadium, home of the Blowfish on Saturday and Sunday.

As Happy Wheels Program Director Tracey Rankin explains, “There’s nothing purer than supporting sick kids in your local community while exalting the giving spirit of a family who has experienced great loss.” The Midlands community has supported the Branham family since Kennedy’s cancer diagnosis and continues still today.  Lexington High School varsity baseball coach, Brian Hucks, commented about the event, “Kennedy lost her battle with cancer but her spirit remains very present in our (baseball) program.  Her impact is still felt throughout this community, this school and certainly throughout the baseball program.”