The second annual AHEPA Marrow National Invitational Basketball Tournament will be held from March 10-14, 2010 in Chicago. There, Eastern Orthodox Christian teams, of various nationalities and from all around the United States and Canada, compete for an excellent cause. The tournament's motto is, "a tournament that saves lives."

The AHEPA Marrow Donor Registry's mission is to add persons of Mediterranean descent into the database of prospective donors. The best chance for a leukemia patient is from a family member, secondly from relatives, and then from their ethnic group.

The goals of the tournament are to promote education, raise awareness of the marrow transplant process, recruit eligible donors and serve as a national fundraising event. There are several divisions, including men's, senior men's (45+), women's, boys high school, boys 15 and under, grammar school and biddy. There is also a three-point shooting contest held, in which the proceeds are donated to a worthwhile Hellenic cause. Last year, the funds were donated to Niko Bezanis, a boy from Palos Hills who had a diving accident, which resulted in him becoming a paraplegic. There are also plans to begin a scholarship fund in the coming years, for any Greek individual or a player in the tournament.

During the tournament, drives are conducted in an attempt to find potential donors for individuals with cancer. A few years ago, a match was found for a young Greek woman and her life was saved. It only takes one to save a life.

For more information visit www.ahepamarrow.org. You can find schedules for the upcoming tournament here.

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