A group from Peoria, Illinois, who have beaten breast cancer have taken note of the difficulty fellow survivors can experience when searching for support groups with shared experiences.
The self-defined “Pinkleball Warriors” have taken it upon themselves to remedy that situation and have formed a mini-community for other sufferers of the disease, and it’s all centered around pickleball.
“Come And Meet Friends”
Member Jayme Knapp told Sam Matheny and Jason Howell from 25News: “Once you’re kind of done with treatment or you’re done with certain things that have to do with your individual cancer journey, it’s kind of like you’re on your own.
“This is a place where you can just come and meet friends who have been down that same path.”
A Friendship Blossomed
The initiative originated when Kelly Eckert noticed Peggy Smock, who was undergoing breast cancer treatment, was playing pickleball while wearing a headscarf in 90-degree heat! A friendship blossomed and eventually evolved into a pickleball group for survivors.
Smock, reflecting on the ethos behind the group, said, “This is a place where you kind of forget about treatment, pills, all the things you have to do to get through cancer. This is a time just to have fun and be on the court.”
A Community Effort
Amidst tears, treatments, and therapies, Smock and Eckert transformed their individual diagnoses into a community effort.
Now comprising an amazing 50 members, the group convenes twice a month at recreation centers around Peoria.
The forthcoming celebration of the group’s first anniversary in February marks a significant milestone.
They call themselves the Pinkleball Warriors.
— Patrick Cunningham (@pmc3_83) July 11, 2023
Tonight at 6 on @WMBDNews, hear how a group of women have started a pickleball group for cancer patients, survivors, and their support people. pic.twitter.com/7eSDIDENFe
Transformative Power
Eckert emphasized the transformative power of the group, observing moments when the women find solace in the understanding only fellow survivors can provide.
“When I turn around and I see women talking on the bench, and they’re talking about things that they’re going through, only they understand that,” she says.
“They told us at the beginning they didn’t want to sit around and talk about their problems. They wanted to get out and play.”
Planning To Reach Beyond Central Illinois
Looking ahead, one of the group’s aspirations is to extend its reach beyond Central Illinois, potentially establishing a presence in Bloomington or other areas.
For those interested in joining, survivors or those currently undergoing treatment can become part of the Pinkleball Warriors group on Facebook, with a nominal $5 fee for participation.
Whether experienced or new to the game, the group welcomes all, offering instruction and equipment. Additionally, support persons are encouraged to join, fostering a holistic sense of community.
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is about 130 miles southwest of Chicago as the crow flies.
Located on the Illinois River, the city had a population of 113,150 as of the 2020 census and is the principal city of the Peoria metropolitan area in Central Illinois.
