Trainers for the cure

The Komen foundation is the world’s largest charity dedicated to combating breast cancer. Since 1982, when it was formed, Komen has invested more than $1 billion to help save lives, provide health care and fund breast cancer research.

Breast cancer accounts for 10.4 percent of all cancer diagnoses. In 2004 alone, 519,000 individuals lost their lives to breast cancer.

This will be the third year the trainers have put together the event, which will take place this year May 31 at The College of New Jersey.

“It actually started with one of our fellow co-athletic trainers, Cheri Drysdale, who’s part of a committee on a national level,” explained Jenn Lister, a trainer for the women’s track and field and men’s basketball teams.

“She brainstormed a little bit, and we jumped right on board with her three years ago. It was successful, and we’re continuing it,” Lister added.

The group opted to put on a tennis charity tournament because tennis is a sport that many people can participate in.

“What do we have as sports? Couples based, a sport that we know how to cover? We wanted to have less restrictions on who could be a part of this,” Lister said.

Tennis fit the bill perfectly — a sport that young and old alike often play. Other sports that are geared toward younger age groups, such as lacrosse or soccer, likely would have dissuaded members of older age groups from participating.

“We’ve had college students all the way up to ... 65-year-olds play,” Lister said.

The day boasts a number of activities besides tennis. The event also provides a luncheon and a raffle, which is Lister’s favorite part.

“For me, my go-to is the raffle,” Lister said. “I organize Chinese take out to-go boxes, and the tickets are sold where if you have $20 worth of tickets, you can put them all into one box and go for that prize. We draw a prize out of each individual box.”

In past years, the tournament has also included a silent auction, an event which the trainers are looking to have again.

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Lister said that the organizers are still searching for sponsors to donate items, but she added that there is still time to donate, so she is optimistic the auction will occur.

In the past, the auction has boasted some impressive items: This past year, one lucky individual walked away with a New York Giants autographed football.

“Last year, we were lucky enough to have a silent auction,” Lister said. “We’re hoping that some people can kind of come through for us … Right now we only have eight participants signed up, but we’re hoping to at least exceed our numbers from last year.”

Last year’s tourney had 30 participants, and the event raised $2,000. The goal this year is to raise $3,000.

A singles entry fee is $55, while a doubles entry fee is $100. These fees include breakfast, lunch, gifts and a T-shirt.

Even in these tough economic times, Lister said she hopes that people will participate in a fun event benefiting a great cause.

“On this given day, you wake with a sense of purpose to have fun but at the same time to help out a great cause,” Lister said. “Each person probably knows someone who has suffered from breast cancer. You know that you’re doing something for someone else that maybe 10 years down the road, it’s a life or death situation that you’ve maybe helped someone out with.”