Photo Courtesy of Heather Sutherland
The fourth annual Don Sutherland Memorial Slo-Pitch Tournament will return to Pembroke on Saturday, July 4, at the Stafford Ball Diamond, raising money for the Kidney Walk and honouring the legacy of a local man who battled kidney disease.
Daughter Heather Sutherland, who has many fond memories of growing up with Don “Suds” Sutherland, says baseball was simply a part of growing up in her household.
Sutherland, who lived with polycystic kidney disease, underwent dialysis and later received a life-saving kidney transplant donated by his wife, Cathy. A longtime slo-pitch player, Sutherland inspired his family to launch an annual fundraising tournament in 2013 in support of their Kidney Walk team, Team Suds. Heather remembers the humble beginnings of the campaign.
Heather remembers the day both of her parents went into hospital to undergo the transplant surgeries, saying it was a day she and her siblings will never forget.
Following his death in 2016, the event was renamed in his memory and has continued to grow. Over the years, the Sutherland family has raised more than $83,000 for The Kidney Foundation of Canada, with the tournament contributing a significant portion of those funds.
The tournament follows a four-team format this year, and Heather says that back in the early days, when there were 12 teams, organizers raised nearly $4,000. She says she hopes to see about the same return with four teams this year.
All proceeds from the tournament go directly toward the Kidney Walk, which takes place this fall. The games begin at 9 a.m., and spectators are encouraged to come out and support an amazing cause that is near and dear to the Sutherland family and anyone who has been touched by kidney disease.
Visit the Pembroke Kidney Walk Facebook page to donate or take part in this year’s tournament.
(Written By: Richard Evans)
