Dodgeball fundraiser on way

Pneumonia is a top killer of children, and one organization is spreading the word in a unique way: dodgeball.

Chapel Hill is one of 16 cities chosen to host the first Best Shot Foundation’s Pnock Out Pneumonia Dodgeball Tournament in 2010.

There is no set date, but foundation employees estimate the tournament will occur between February and April.

The foundation is looking to get college students involved in its cause to increase awareness about the deadliness of pneumonia.

“College students are the leaders of today,” said Lia Katz, special coordinator at the Best Shot Foundation. Katz said in the search for college students that would be committed, Chapel Hill stood out.

David Rubenstein, the founder and executive director of the foundation, said a dodgeball tournament seemed to be the best way to get students involved.

“We figured a beer and pizza party would be too hard to organize,” he said.

Katz said each of the 16 cities that hosts a tournament will have a reigning champion. There is a $25 fee per person, and each team must raise $300 to participate.

The tournament will feature 32 teams with up to 15 people per team. The Best Shot Foundation is also looking for a local college student to serve as regional tournament coordinator.

Christen Graffo, campaign coordinator for Survive to 5 program at the Save the Children Foundation, said the tournament is a fun way to get campuses working for the cause.

Graffo said 2 million children die from pneumonia every year despite the fact that it is easy and affordable to treat because most people don’t realize the danger it poses to children. Already stretched resources are often diverted to other health issues that are thought to be more pressing.

Katz said 98 percent of child deaths from pneumonia are in developing countries.

“There hasn’t been a grassroots movement to take this on,” Katz said. “Pneumonia is this really serious threat to children.”



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