Terre Haute residents gathered at Brittlebank Park yesterday morning to play pickleball for a cure for breast cancer.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation
Over 75 people participated in a pickleball tournament, with all its proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Officials say the goal for this event was to raise $2,500 for the cause.
The Komen Foundation was going to hold its own pickleball-themed event last year, but it decided to partner with local residents, so this became the first ever “Pickleball For The Cure” tournament in the entire United States.
This is the second year they have held an event, and it has over doubled in size in terms of participation.
Tawnya Sheffield
Tawnya Sheffield, the event host, explains why events like these helped her in her time of need:
“I became the 17th woman in my mother’s family to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
“My biggest concern was that I didn’t have insurance at the time. In fact, my mammogram had been covered through Susan G. Komen’s financial assistance program.
“My family has always been very vocal supporters of Komen. We have participated in Race for the Cure events for many years, and my sister attended an advocacy summit in Washington, D.C. My husband and I were even married on the stage at a Komen Race for the Cure event just two days before my double mastectomy.
“When Komen announced the Pickleball for the Cure program in 2022, I knew I had to sign up to host an event. I don’t play pickleball, but my dad is an avid pickler.
“Hosting a fundraising tournament in our community would be something we could do together to not only raise awareness, but crucial funds to help support breast cancer research.
“The pickleball community is growing in leaps and bounds, and I’ve been amazed by how passionate and supportive they have been once they learn about Pickleball for the Cure. I hope to inspire this community to really pull together in the fight. It’s all for a great cause – research and helping fund mammograms for people who can’t afford them – and that is very important to me.”
Pickleball For The Cure
Pickleball for the Cure is the nation’s first official fundraiser that offers players of all levels the opportunity to play the sport they love while raising funds to end breast cancer.
To learn more, visit komen.org/pickleball.
This event was also fully funded by volunteers, although officials say they are hoping to bring in corporate sponsors as it continues to grow exponentially.
Brittlebank Park is located at 2100 Grant St, Terre Haute, IN 47802.
Click here to read more of our charity events.
