Doctors told Michelle Monaghans parents when she was born that she wouldnt live to be in her teens because of a severe case of juvenile diabetes.

Monaghan, also known as Mush, beat that prognosis and lived until her early 30s, when the disease took her life. She had gone to the hospital in 2002 for what she and doctors believed to be the flu, and she was sent home to recover. The next morning, family members found her dead in the hallway of her home.

As a memorial of Monaghans life and to help raise awareness and find a cure for diabetes, the Hermiston Tavern, where she was employed, has hosted a pool tournament in her honor every year for the past 12 years.

We wanted to do something in her name, committee member Dan Kalao said about the event. The first year we raised $400.

In the last several years, the event has raised more than $11,000 each year for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Kalao said.

This years tournament will take place at 11 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Hermiston Tavern. Preregistration will begin at 9:30 a.m. The cost to compete in the tournament is $20 per couple. The event will also feature a raffle of items from various businesses in Hermiston and a bake sale and auction.

Kalao said the event has attracted 150 people in the past, and, in recent years, the tavern has had 30 pool teams enter the tournament. Most importantly, he said, 100 percent of the proceeds from the entry fees, the raffle and auction go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

We pay for all of the advertising and promotions for the tournament out of our own pockets, Kalao said. It is worth it. This goes to a good cause.

Kalao said the event is an important fundraiser for the Hermiston community because type 1 diabetes affects many people. According to statistics provided from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as many as 3 million Americans have type 1 diabetes, which accounts for $14.9 billion in healthcare costs in the country each year.

Kalao said he invites everyone who is interested to participate at this years event. He said organizers hope representatives from the Oregon chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation will attend, as well.

You dont have to shoot pool, he said. Come out and buy some baked items, watch the tournament. We have a lot of fun.