by Kelly Campbell
October is breast cancer awareness month. Over 240,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. This October, TrackitHub would like to highlight and support an organization that’s doing incredible work in the fight against breast cancer and has recently become an important part of the pickleball community––the Susan G. Koman Foundation.
Pickleball for the Cure, a Susan G. Koman Foundation signature fundraising event, creates an opportunity for the pickleball community to join the breast cancer community in the fight to create a world without breast cancer. There are numerous ways to get involved and put your love for dinking towards a great cause.
Read on for more on how pickleball has been raising money for breast cancer research throughout October and how you can get involved with Pickleball for the Cure.
More on the Susan G. Koman Foundation & “For the Cure” Programs
The Susan G. Koman Foundation was founded in 1982, by Nancy G. Binker in memory of her late sister Susan. Its mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. Since 1989, the Susan G. Koman Foundation’s efforts have reduced breast cancer-related deaths by 43% by investing nearly $3.6 billion in research, advocacy, programs, and community health outreach in over 60 countries.
The Susan G. Koman Foundation has a long history of fundraising via sports events before pickleball. Each year, thousands across the US organize fundraisers on behalf of Komen in their communities, from races, dances, walks, golf tournaments, volleyball tournaments, and more. The foundation also partners with school groups and sports teams to host For the Cure each year.
In August of 2022, the Susan G. Koman Foundation launched Pickleball for the Cure––first through a National Pickleball Day fundraising challenge, then with the first Pickleball for the Cure National Tournament in October.
“What Komen and pickleball have in common are our passionate communities. By bringing the strength of our communities together, we can make a huge impact on individuals facing breast cancer by raising funds for critical breast cancer services and new research breakthroughs,” said Paula Schneider, President and CEO of Susan G. Komen, about the launch of Pickleball for the Cure.
“Breast cancer is no game, but helping end it forever can be,” Schneider said. “Pickleball for the Cure is an opportunity for players to turn their passion for pickleball into a force for good.”
Especially considering tremendous pickleball growth over the last few years, Pickleball for the Cure has been an integral contributor to Komen’s offerings since its launch –– both by raising money and by rallying communities to support one another. Here are some highlighted on the Komen website.
Last year, Mary Holmead raised more than $15,000 by organizing a Pickleball for the Cure fundraiser in Maryland. She was inspired by her desire to honor the memory of her late wife, Cathy who succumbed to metastatic breast cancer in 2017.
Katy Garvey‘s Pickleball for the Cure fundraiser, organized in honor of her late mother, raised over $1,300 for Susan G. Koeman.
“Pickleball became a passion of mine during the pandemic,” Katy said. “My friends and I decided to try it out, and I’ve just fallen in love with the sport. When I saw a post for Pickleball for the Cure on Facebook, I saw it as an opportunity to combine my love of pickleball with my passion for helping with breast cancer awareness and research.”
Pickler Piper Vaughn, diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2021, discovered the healing power of pickleball by getting involved with her home pickleball club’s Pickleball for the Cure event.
Pickleball lover Peggy Smock found out she had breast cancer after an injury during a pickleball match and was overwhelmed by support for the Komen foundation by her pickleball community.
“Now I have friends in the pickleball world who are doing the Komen pickleball challenge. It means everything. What Komen is doing is giving me a chance to live. People may think pickleball is just a game, but for me, it’s motivation to fight harder.”
Get Involved
Donate to help end breast cancer: Donate Here
Recent & Upcoming Pickleball for the Cure Events
- Donate to the Susan G. Koman Foundation
- Participate in the 30-Day Pickleball Challenge on your own or with a group
- Find a Local Pickleball for the Cure event
- Host a Pickleball for the Cure event
Reach out to pickleball@komen.org with any questions.
Pickle Against Breast Cancer – FAQ’s
Upcoming Pickleball for the Cure Events:
10/21 – Pickleball for the Cure – Northeast Ohio Pickleball Players Club – Green, OH
10/21 – Sanibel Recreation Center Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Sanibel, FL
10/24 – Pickleball for The Cure – Ramsey, NJ
10/27 – Let’s Dink for Pink – Sunset, SC
11/18 – Pickleball for the Cure – Louisiana – Hammond, LA
Sources
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