2016 Gastrointestinal Esophageal Cancer Awareness Charity
Near and dear to founder Jason Speirs, this Charity Event represents more than just an avenue for raising money. In 2009, Jason lost his father to gastrointestinal esophageal cancer. This event is an opportunity to create awareness for the vicious disease that took his father’s life. The 4th Annual Tennis Saves Gastrointestinal Esophageal (GE) Cancer Awareness and charity event held at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club in NYC proved to be another very successful year and raised over $11,000!! A special thanks to the amazing sponsors; the United States Professional Teaching Association (USPTA), United States Tennis Association (USTA), Riverwalk Bar & Grill and Kazumi Yanai, who helped make the event happen. There were nearly 60 people who gathered for a night filled with fun, tennis, prizes, but most importantly, came together to fight for this cause.
The first half of the evening was all Drills & Games, with nearly 50 players participating. The second half of the night consisted of two tournaments — a Mixed 7.0 & 8.0 Doubles tournament, while we also had a Targets & Prizes court. With 8 teams in each tournament, everyone played three rounds in a Compass Draw with some very close results! Congratulations to Michael and Jacky Lipson for winning the 7.0 Mixed Doubles Tournament, Leeor Alon and Nadja Rutkowski for winning the 8.0 Mixed Doubles Tournament. After the Drills & Games portion, many folks stayed and enjoyed some wonderful food made by Maria Del Pozo and local Roosevelt Island restaurant, Riverwalk Bar & Grill. Musician Ben Rosenblum kept the music light and continuous throughout the night.
We had several silent auction items up for grabs as well. All proceeds collected from the event were donated to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Together, they are making history in fighting back against GE cancer. Their work is tireless and making a difference for people around the country.
'14 USPTA Eastern Division Newsletter
'13 Loriet
'13 New York Tennis Magazine
Thank you everyone for your support!
