What an awesome day in Edina, Minnesota today for the 3rd annual Quinn’s Cup Pond Hockey Tournament, in memory of Quinn Kirsch. Quinn was an 8 year old who died in January 2013 of Viral Myocarditis. His family had no warning signs that he was ill. He played pond hockey, his first love, during the day, played with his dog and suddenly collapsed in his home. Resuscitation was started immediately, but within 6 hours he was gone, but he will never be forgotten.
In a way to keep the memory of Quinn alive in the community, his hockey coach suggested to his parents that they start a pond hockey tournament in his memory.
In 2014 there were about 200 children that participated, last year there were almost 400, and in 2016 there were about 560 children that participated. The registration had to be closed in mid-December because they ran out of rink space. Plans are already in place to add a 5th rink in 2017 to accommodate the popularity of this event.
The community comes together to help Kyle and Kelly Kirsch make this happen. The number of sponsers has doubled from last year’s event. All the food and drinks are donated, and free to the participants and their families, with the suggestion of donations, if possible. Music played throughout the day and repeated announcements about myocarditis were made.
A prime time radio station interviewed Kyle Kirsch a few evenings ago, and two local television stations were there today to do interviews and spread the word on myocarditis. We definitely know that the people of Edina and Minneapolis,-St. Paul, Minnesota have been well educated on myocarditis thanks to Kelly and Kyle Kirsch and Quinn’s Cup! Thank you so very much for all you have done!
