Kicking it for Connie fundraiser raises money for Pass Christian resident battling breast cancer

Sports moms hosted a kickball tournament to support a friend battling breast cancer.

Nine teams played in a kickball tournament in Pass Christian. While off the field, plate lunches and raffle tickets were sold to help raise money for Laconya Burks, or as some people like to call her Mrs. Connie, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2021.

Two friends came up with this event to help their friend when she recently had a double mastectomy. They remained supportive throughout her journey since the ladies and their children always kept close in the past. Friend Ashton Ladner said, “If our kids can’t make it somewhere, even if its not sports related, we just call on each other and like hey you mind doing this or if someone loses a family member, we’ll cook and help each other.”

Due to her chemo and radiation treatments, it has been a difficult time financially for the Burks family and their ten children. Friend Melissa Coubaa said, “She was always the bread winner. She was always a real hard worker. So, since this happened, the minute she had to go into having chemo, she had to come off of work and so this is kinda helping her family, helping with medical bills, helping with traveling. She’s going to have to take another year off. So that’s where we’re trying to come in as a community and help.”

Burks mother passed away a year ago from the same cancer, but Burks continues to have a positive outlook for her future and remains in high spirits as she clings to her faith, family, and friends. “I have support and I have a good team, but just to see people coming out, let’s me know that God and us, we’re all going to be okay. We got plenty of people supporting us. We’re going to be good.”

The community raised over $1,500 at the event. If you would like to donate to the Burks family, you can click here and visit gofundme.com.