BELLA VISTA — Everyone involved with the Cancer Challenge Junior Tennis Tournament, from retired volunteers to beginning players, shared a goal Thursday — to help people with cancer.
The tournament, one of the first events of the 2012 Cancer Challenge, was held at the Kingsdale Tennis Center and drew 32 players.
“If it’s helping people, I’ll do it,” said Connor Chronister, a junior player.
Tennis tournaments have been part of the Cancer Challenge for 18 years, said Kelli Russell, a tennis pro. Some of the same volunteers come back year after year.
“It’s become a tradition,” she said.
The junior tournament, for ages 12 to 18, was part of a larger event. Later Thursday, a wine and cheese party kicked off the adult tennis tournament to be held today and Saturday. A raffle for tennis equipment also took place.
“I believe in the cause of the Cancer Challenge and I love tennis,” said Athelyn Buckley, a volunteer, as she manned the raffle table. “It’s a good combination.”
Early in the afternoon players took part in a clinic. They later played a round robin format in doubles and mixed doubles. Each player received a T-shirt and gift bag. Team prizes also were awarded.
The junior tournament raised $1,200 for the Cancer Challenge. During the past 19 years, the Cancer Challenge has provided more than $9 million to local groups that provide cancer services including the Community Clinic, Hope Cancer Resources, Northwest Arkansas Free Health Clinic, and Washington Regional’s Cancer Support Home, according to the Cancer Challenge website.
Paul Pautsch, a tennis pro, said he watched both of his parents suffer as they died of cancer.
“Programs like this might have helped,” he said.