Just as he impacted those around him throughout his life, the memory of Dr. Bryan Douglas continues to make an impact on the lives of others.
For the past six years, that impact has come from the Dr. Bryan Douglas Memorial Softball tournament, the latest iteration of which took place Saturday at the Lorenzo Delgado Sports Complex in Santa Fe Park. Eight teams took part in the tournament, which ran from early morning to late afternoon.
All money raised from the tournament and a coinciding silent auction will go to support the Bryan Douglas Choose How You Respond fund, which supports families and individuals currently battling cancer. Organizer, and wife of Bryan Douglas, Lori Douglas, says the tournament was their family’s way of embracing that motto choose how you respond and it has helped to bring some joy to one of the most devastating moments of their lives.
As mentioned, it is not only the Douglas family’s lives that were changed by the tournament, but also the lives of many residents in the community who have benefited from the thousands of dollars generated over the last six years. Douglas says that more than just the money, the event has also helped them to cultivate a community of support for those who are facing one of the darkest periods of their lives.
Douglas, a local chiropractor and longtime member of the Flint Hills Optimist Club, was well known for his love of sports and youth, serving as director of the annual Flint Hills Optimist All-Star classic basketball game, among other initiatives, up until his passing in 2021 following his fight with cancer in March of 2021. Fundraising totals from this year’s tournament are currently pending.
