'Play For Meg': Softball Tourney Fundraiser To Benefit Beloved Tinley Woman, 37, In Breast Cancer Fight

CRESTWOOD, IL — The community is rallying for a beloved Tinley Park native amid her breast cancer fight, with a softball tournament fundraiser set for Saturday, Oct. 3.

Meg Malito, 37, was a veteran bartender at JW Hollsteins in Tinley Park and now works as a paraeducator at Kirby District 140's Millennium Elementary School in Tinley Park.

Her work behind the bar endeared her to many, friend Alysse Bagley told Patch, and at the school she "continues to inspire and spread her positivity."

Malito was diagnosed with stage 1-B2 triple positive invasive ductal carcinoma grade 3, which has now spread to underarm lymph nodes. She is undergoing six months of chemo, followed by a double mastectomy in the future. She will then face radiation, another year of chemo and a longterm medication for another 5-10 years.

"She acknowledges there’s a long road ahead, but in typical Meg fashion she’s remaining so optimistic and incredibly brave," Bagley said.

Her positivity amid her fight has inspired many, including Firefighters Care Foundation, which has organized a 16-inch softball tournament fundraiser featuring teams from area fire departments. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports sick children, injured first responders, and families facing unexpected hardships.

"I was Meg's co-worker for many years and we became close friends," Bagley told Patch. "She is quite literally the sweetest, most genuine person I know. Everybody absolutely adores Meg. To know her is to love her. The support everyone has shown so far is tremendous and heartwarming. I am excited to see the turnout for this Saturday."

The tournament will be held at Ozinga Field, 14011 Kenton Ave., in Crestwood. The stadium opens at 9:30 a.m., with the first game at 10 a.m. and bracket play throughout the day.

The event features a split-the-pot and basket raffles, a mascot race, free kids' face painting and a park on-site for kids. Kids can also run the bases after the final game.

Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the gate. An all-inclusive wristband deal also includes food and drink—beer, seltzers, soda, water, wine, hot dogs, burgers, pulled pork, chips—from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., available for purchase online only through end of day Sept. 30.

Find out more info, buy tickets and wristbands online or via QR codes pictured below. Part of the event proceeds go to The Yard Foundation, the Firefighters Care Foundation, the 100 Club of Illinois, and Tinley Wish.