Johnston Non-Profit Hosts Pitcher Perfect Fundraiser Saturday in Urbandale

One brave Johnston boy and his family are bringing their fight to the metro area with a fundraiser on Saturday.

Aspiring Major League Baseball players and fans alike have a reason to be excited for this weekend's Pitcher Perfect event in Urbandale.

Carson Cooper, 9, was diagnosed with leukemia in May 2011. After spending a month at Blank Children's Hospital for treatment, Carson was ready to help others, WHO-TV reported.

Carson is now in remission, but continues treatment.

Through their experience, the Coopers -- mom Pam, dad Jack and sister Hailey, 15 -- began a foundation Kids Living Brave to help families with their needs and direct them to organizations that can help.

Follow Kids Living Brave on Facebook for more information on the foundation.

A large portion of the charity is dedicated to providing emotional support for families, Pam Cooper told the Des Moines Register.

“We started noticing other families that were struggling, maybe with coming to the hospital, maybe one parent was there, one parent wasn’t, how do they pay for meals when they’re here," Pam told WHO-TV.

The family realized it was truly the little things that helped while Carson was seeking treatment -- from community support to providing meals.

And so Brave Baskets were born.

On Monday, baskets containing medicine calendars, thermometers, sanitary and baby wipes, sunscreen, lip balm, lotion and more were delivered to patients at Blank Children's Hospital.

The delivery came with a surpass guest, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher, and Des Moines native, Jeremy Hellickson.

Kids Living Brave hosts its first fundraiser Saturday featuring Hellickson.
Pitcher Perfect, a pitching clinic, will take place at Grand Slam USA in Urbandale.

The ticketed-event is broken into two age brackets: the session for 8-10 year olds begins at 9 a.m. 11-14 year olds begin at 11 a.m. Tickets are $50, includes a t-shirt, and are limited to the first 60 kids in each session.

Tickets can be purchased at Kids Living Brave's website or Grand Slam USA.
Space in the 8- to 10-year age group is already sold out.

“Kids Living Brave believes in living life to the fullest. Not only will this pitching clinic allow local kids a chance to attend a pitching clinic, meet their favorite Major League Baseball pitcher and improve their skills, 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the charity to support Iowa kids fighting cancer and their families,” said Jack Cooper said in a release.