By Julie Buehler
As a sports reporter, I’ve said many times in print, on radio, TV and to my friends, the BNP Paribas Open is one of my favorite sporting events each year.
But 2015 was the best I’ve ever experienced.
Once again, the greatest tennis players on planet Earth gather to enjoy one of the most illustrious venues, communities and events on their schedule and the Coachella Valley and world-wide tennis audience felt compelled to do the same.
This year was particularly special as Serena Williams made her return after 13 years of boycotting the event due to a controversial couple of days in 2001. She ended up withdrawing before her semi-final match against Simona Halep, the eventual champion, but there was no question the buzz around this tournament was massive thanks to Serena coming back. How massive? How about Bill Gates joining BNP Paribas owner Larry Ellison court side for Serena’s first match.
And then, of course, the final on the men’s side between the top two players in the world, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer left fans on their feet with Djokovic tying Federer for his fourth title.
Had it just been about the tennis, the tournament would have justified the new attendance record it set over the gorgeous, sunny 2 weeks, but I discovered an incredible group of dedicated individuals who use such an occasion, as in a gorgeous, sunny 2 weeks of tennis, to have a blast raising money to fund cancer research through the American Cancer Society.
The Cancer Research Racquet is a group of nearly 8,000 tennis fans who travel the globe searching for a bottle of Champaign to raise their glass and funds to help those who have struggled or are struggling with the disease.
The organizers, Rob Kinas, a 10-year cancer survivor himself, and Lauralyn McCarthy, who lost her childhood best friend to breast cancer, say the success of the group, which started with about 25 of their closest friends, is due to the fact they don’t ask for commitments to be part of the group. They just ask that you know how to have fun and do what you can to donate. Whether that’s time, talent or currency is irrelevant to the Cancer Research Racquet because after surviving cancer, or watching someone’s battle draw to a victorious or tragic end, the dedicated bunch of tennis fans turned activists know life’s greatest gifts are the memories created with loved ones and their mission is creating those moments to cherish forever.
The fact they’ve raised nearly $600,000 while on that mission is no small thing. The fact they’ve connected with some of the world’s largest corporations to assist and back them is no accident.
While The Cancer Research Racquet has evolved through grass roots efforts, gathering those of a like mind with similar passions for a good time, great tennis and open hearts to ensure those facing the difficult reality of a battle against the deadly disease feel included, protected and supported, they’ve also recognized attracted the attention of international corporations will help the organization’s long-term goal of funding research projects through the American Cancer Society.
Kinas, the groups founder, won his battle with a cancer that gave him 18 months to live thanks to some researchers in Houston that offered him experimental drugs that not only worked to save his life, but also ignited his passion to help others.
When Kinas was diagnosed with the long-term death sentence, his wife and him decided to keep the announcement in their close circle of family and friends. But once they shared his story and diagnosis, it became clear how many others had been touched by cancer and wanted to share their support and affirmation. Kinas quickly realized his battle was not a singular cause, but a rallying cry for hundreds, now thousands, who know what that diagnosis feels like, sounds like and a bout with cancer looks like.
Thus The Cancer Research Racquet began when one man’s intended private journey to face a deadly adversary became a public platform to create friendships and life-long bonds with others who have the particular and distinct connection of either being a cancer survivor or a friend or family member of one.
It’s a passionate group who travel the globe to the largest tennis events in the world to raise their glasses and funds to battle of the planet’s deadliest diseases.
If you’d like to get involved, however you can, go to www.cancerresearchracquet.com for more information.
Julie Buehler hosts the Coachella Valley’s most popular sports talk radio show, “Buehler’s Day Off” every day from 1-4 on 1010 KXPS, the valley’s all sports station. She can also be seen every morning between 6-7am on KMIR sharing the coolest stories in sports. She’s an avid gym rat, slightly sarcastic and more likely to recite Steve Young’s career passing stats than American Idol winners. Tune in M-F 1-4 pst at www.team1010.com or watch “Buehler’s Day Off” on Ustream and KMIR.com for her sports reports.
