Promoter Vanessa Bethel gets ready for her close up. Right: Bethel with
 event organizer Cindi Middlekauf. Photos: Dan Davis.

Metro area Denver news and radio stations were great supporters of the event, with pre- and post-tournament promotions and interviews, as well as live coverage on the day of the event. Local celebrity Vanessa Bethel (who lost both parents to cancer and is well-known for raising money for the foundation by doing the most "touch and goes" with a single engine airplane) was on hand for interviews and to speak at the awards banquet.

Following the format of last year's awards ceremony, individuals and teams received the opportunity to choose their own prizes from a sizable collection of goods and services. The best selection was reserved for the "first round" of winners, beginning with the Novice division and working back to the open division, followed by team awards.

Special thanks go to the sponsors who make this event so special and successful: Wilson, Ektelon, IRT commissioner Hank Marcus, Flu Central, Mirka Abrasives, B & G Solutions, Hilton Garden Inn, GNC, D & D Tire Service, Blue Skyy Massage, the Ladies Professional Racquetball Association and the USRA,along with many local restaurants and businesses who donated
certificates to their establishments. A special thanks to Colorado Racquetball Association [CRA] president Dan Davis and board member Adam Katz for volunteering their time to handle the tournament desk.

This pilot "Racquet for the Cure" event has been a very rewarding and educational experience for the organizers, the players and the sponsors. From this tournament, we have developed a committee whose goals are to create a bigger and better event that can serve as a model for expanding the concept nationwide, and developing a series of events to serve as a major fundraiser for this worthwhile cause.