Tournament supports cancer research
BY SCOTT PAGE Gulf Breeze News Scott@gulfbreezenews.com

Submitted photo Jennie Barrow, left, who is co-chairman of the tournament committee, was inspired to dedicate herself to the Pink Ribbon Tournament by her mother, Gail Baer, right, who is a breast cancer survivor.

The Sixth Annual Pink Ribbon Tennis Tournament is set to take place at the Roger Scott Tennis Center in Pensacola on April 11 and 12. Over 192 women will be playing in the tournament that intends to raise money to provide mammograms to those who are otherwise unable to afford them.

A volunteer committee that is dedicated to fighting breast cancer organizes the Pink Ribbon Tournament, which uses pink tennis balls and encourages all players and spectators to dress in pink.

The committee had the opportunity to partner with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation several years ago, but the partnership would have diminished the local impact of the fundraiser.

"They do some great work and the only reason we decided not to is to guarantee that our dollars would be spent in our area," says Jennie Barrow, cochairman of the tournament committee.

Susan Emmerson adds, "Every penny we raise stays in the local community."

Proceeds from the tournament are given to the Pensacola Breast Cancer Association who then allocates them evenly among area hospitals, where the funds provide mammograms for local women.

Although the official competition begins on Friday, there are a few other activities that will take place in conjunction with the tournament.

Tonight there will be a Calcutta, Pro-Am event at Pensacola Racquet Club.

"It will have nine teams, one pro and three players, and we will have an auction where donors can bid on the teams," says Emmerson. "The highest bidder will get first pick and we will continue until all the teams have been picked."

The committee has also organized an effort to help Locks of Love and Pantene Beautiful Lengths collect hair donations. Locks of Love provides wigs for underprivileged children that suffer from any diagnosis that causes hair loss, and Pantene Beautiful Lengths provides wigs to women undergoing cancer treatment.

Barrow realized that these hair donations are just as important as monetary contributions when her mother was battling breast cancer.

"Having the breast reduction was nothing, but losing her hair was a really big deal because the hair loss is the first thing people notice," Barrow remembers. "Having a wig made out of real human hair gives the recipient so many more options. You can't do anything with fake wigs."

Anyone who wants to donate hair can do so Friday night at 6 p.m. at the Roger Scott Tennis Center. Locks of Love asks for nine inches and Beautiful Lengths asks for eight. Two tennis pros from the Roger Scott Center, Paul Einhart and Steven Allison, will be donating.

There will also be a silent auction for anyone who still wants to make a donation beginning at noon on Friday.

Tournament play will follow at 1 p.m. and at 8 a.m. on Saturday. There will be prizes for the winners and an award for the most outrageous outfit.

This tournament has been a great success; over $125,000 has been raised in the first five years and as a result cancer has been found and treated. It is truly an indication of what is possible through the dedicated local efforts of a community.

"Whether you're playing or working, I think the most rewarding thing [about being involved] is how the community comes together at this event," Barrow said. "People have differences, but this [breast cancer] is something that brings everyone together in one cause."