Excerpts are taken from the event Facebook page:

Each year, the local Bud Cup Hockey Tournament donates a portion of their proceeds to a local family in need. This year, they have chosen a local young man who has persevered despite his challenges. Many in our community know the story of Josh Patterson.

Josh is a young man, only 18 years of age, who has Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome, which is a rare disorder that can affect many parts of the body, particularly the bones. There are approximately only 60 people in the world that have this disease! He has had over 50 surgeries on his legs, arms and 3 to remove a tumor behind his ear. On top of this, he has Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that affects how his cells work in his body. This usually takes a big toll on the lungs, which usually is what takes the life of the afflicted.

Josh undergoes three treatments a day to help break up the mucus in his lungs to try to prevent an infection, but with this disease it is inevitable. “Just have to try to keep him as healthy as possible for as long as we have him,” says his family. Lung transplants are one of the last ditch efforts, but those don’t come around too often.

He is a great kid with a great attitude considering what he has been through in the last 18 years. We feel blessed to still have him and pray every day that he will continue to be here!

– Shane Patterson, Father

This year’s Bud Cup Tournament will be held from March 11-13 at the Rock Springs Recreation Center. Tickets will also be sold in advance of the tournament at the following locations:

• Johnny Mac’s
• Trailhead Guns
• Santa Fe Southwest Grill