MARION CENTER, Pa. -- Waging war against breast cancer has become a tradition at Marion Center High School. The Third Annual 4-on-4 For a Cure Basketball Tournament raised more than $3,700 this year. Organized as a senior project by Katie Cornman and Kellie Ruffner, the lone senior on the girls' basketball team, the tournament benefited the Women's Imaging Center at Indiana Regional Medical Center.

"It's inspirational," said Sue Majoris of the Women's Imaging Center. "I think it's hope for the future because they (Katie and Kellie) are passionate. They're energetic."

And determined. Putting together a tournament pairing dozens of four-person teams of boys and girls from four grade level brackets was a huge undertaking.

"It has been a lot of work, but it's been worth every minute," said Cornman. "Today has been great. There's been so much support from everyone."

Organizing the event was also a tremendous learning experience for the girls, according to Kellie's father, Tip Ruffner.

"She'll remember this for the rest of her life, and breast cancer affects every family. It's just such an important cause," he said.

Marion Center graduate Heather Abbey started the tournament after her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer more than three years ago. The now annual competition has been adopted as a senior project every year since.

"I'm just amazed, and I just thank God that all of this is going on," said Abbey.

Since its inception the tournament has raised more than $10,000 for the imaging center and honored numerous survivors of breast cancer -- women who hope their younger counterparts are paying attention.

"I think this tournament is really good because a lot of people don't think when you're this young, that it can happen to you," said Beth, 29, an honoree of the tournament whose own diagnosis is proof that breast cancer can strike at any age.

Kellie Ruffner admitted she had never given much thought to breast cancer before taking on this project but added the experience opened her eyes.

"I've learned a lot about who I'm helping," she said. "I realize just how much breast cancer affects people just in our area."