Seventy-two pickleball players “paddled” it out during a Round Robin Charity Tournament at Loughran Park in Kingston, N.Y., on September 7, 2019. Dozens of volunteers and spectators were on hand to support the event and help spread the word about the need for marrow and blood stem cell donors to join the registry.
The tournament was co-chaired by long-time Gift of Life volunteer Gail Oliver and an ambassador from the USA Pickleball Association, Jayne McLaughlin. Both are residents of the Kingston area.
During the opening ceremony of the event, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kevin Gilfeathe welcomed the crowd and introduced stem cell donor Ryan Arket, who described his experience as a stem cell donor. Earlier this year he was found as a match and given the opportunity to save the life of a 63-year-old woman battling leukemia.
“Ryan’s story was inspiring,” said Gail. “We know that raising money for Gift of Life helps add new donors to the registry, giving patients who are searching for a donor new hope. Bringing so many people together to learn about the registry and support this important cause is not only rewarding, it will help save lives.”
Gail also organizes the Gift of Life Annual Pickleball Tournament in South Florida each spring to benefit Gift of Life. If you’d like to participate in or support the 2020 Round Robin, click here to email Gail.
Thank you to our event sponsors: