On January 11th, the city of Edina, MN came together to honor and remember Quinn Kirsch. Eight-year-old Quinn tragically passed away suddenly on January 7, 2013 due to myocarditis. Quinn loved playing outdoor hockey and it was Quinn’s hockey coach that came up with the idea for a hockey tournament to remember and celebrate Quinn.
Quinn’s Cup is a pond-hockey tournament for the Twin Cities’ 10 and under hockey teams to come and play a friendly tournament, focused on having fun and the love of hockey. Over 250 kids played while parents and siblings cheered them on. There was also food, raffle prizes, games, and of course hugs, memories, tears, and smiles remembering Quinn.
The event was attended by several local news agencies and the Minnesota Wild (Minnesota’s pro-hockey team) featured the event on their website and created a video honoring Quinn and explaining the disease. Goldy Gopher, the official mascot for the University of Minnesota, even came and signed autographs and posed for pictures with the kids.
Dr. Leslie Cooper, president and founder of the Myocarditis Foundation (MF), and Lindsey Davis, Director of the MF attended the event. They both gave talks explaining the disease and the mission of the Myocarditis Foundation. Despite the cold temperature that day, it was a fun-filled event focused on raising money for the Myocarditis Foundation and above all, honoring Quinn’s memory.
All proceeds of Quinn’s Cup came to the Myocarditis Foundation and in the end, near $13,000 dollars was raised. The Myocarditis Foundation is honored by the outpouring of support from the Kirsch family, their many friends, and the loving community they are such a large part of. Quinn will always be remembered and with the awareness, research, and education events like this bring to communities around the world, lives are being saved.
Click here to see more photos from the event. All photos are courtesy of the Minnesota Wild.
