The year Steve started Tennis Aces Cancer (TAC), my life was being redefined by breast cancer. For someone who had always been exceptionally active, the diagnosis felt like having my wings clipped. Suddenly, I was squeezing every part of my life around treatments, therapies, and a constant need for rest.That’s how cancer sneaks in. It quietly becomes your number one priority until it owns you. It starts to feel like “CANCER” in giant, capital letters that loom over everything you do.
Showing Up, Even from the Sidelines
Even when I couldn’t play a single point, Steve, Joyce, and the TAC team refused to let me be sidelined. They brought me into the community in ways I could actually help. Some days, I was just hearing about the latest matches from my recliner, but every day I could, I made it to the courts.
I would go to the activities and sit by the matches just to be near the game. I wasn’t there to hit a ball; I was there for the company. The TAC team made a point of making me feel like a vital part of the group, even when I was just sitting and watching. They understood that some days I wasn’t up to anything more, but they wanted me there anyway. It felt so good to give back and stay connected in the middle of my fight. It reminded me that I wasn’t “less than” just because I was temporarily out of the game.
Breaking the Grip of Fear
When the next summer rolled around, my treatment changed, and I was in a phase where I could finally consider playing again. But I was afraid. I didn’t know what my body could do anymore, and the fear of feeling “diminished” was heavy.
I’ll never forget Steve’s reaction. He didn’t bat an eye. He just said, “Let’s put you on the new USTA team; you’ll do great!” Suddenly, I wasn’t just watching from the sidelines; I was back on the court with my friends. Everyone encouraged what I could do and stayed completely unphased by the parts of my game that hadn’t quite “come back” yet. They broke the grip of fear. For those hours on the court, I wasn’t a patient. I was just me.
The Spark of the Comeback
Last spring, Steve called with news that moved me to tears: I was to be one of the first recipients of a Tennis Aces Cancer grant. I told him I was honored, but surely someone else needed that money more than I did. He told me they were honored to give back to me.
That grant was the spark I needed. I replaced my worn-out tennis shoes that had been collecting dust. I got a tennis bag that suited my “new” body and didn’t hurt to carry. I used the grant to renew my club membership, which allowed me to put my own funds toward the mountain of medical bills instead.
It pulled me back in when I might have held back. It energized me and built the excitement I needed for the comeback that was such a necessary part of my healing.
Why Your Support Matters
Every cancer journey is unique. Some are long and arduous, but every single one leaves a mark. Having a community like TAC to come alongside you and say, “Just come hang with us! We know you can’t play right now, but we want you here,” is life-changing.
It’s important to remember that this message isn’t just for the survivors—it’s for the caregivers, too. They are often worn down by this disease, carrying incredibly heavy loads while feeling guilty for being overwhelmed because the patient is “the one doing the hard stuff.” But that isn’t true. Caregivers are fighting right alongside us, and TAC is here for them, too.
Tennis Aces Cancer is a beacon of hope for everyone touched by this disease. It helps you take those giant letters of CANCER and turn them into a small, manageable cancer. It shows you that you are still healthy, you can still be active, and you can still be you.
“My journey isn’t over. I still have tests and new challenges. But I am playing, I am loving this game, and I am part of a community that never stops calling me to the court.”
— Julie TrotterMember of Tennis Aces Cancer & Breast Cancer Survivor
Help Us Reach More Survivors
Your donation to Tennis Aces Cancer directly funds grants, equipment, and memberships for survivors like Julie and the caregivers who stand by them. Help us ensure that no one has to face their journey without a team behind them.
“Our organization and its South Side Junior Tennis Camp was founded in 2007 with the mission to provide high quality tennis instruction to under-served Chicago communities while being a catalyst for developing healthier lifestyles. Friends of CICS has used generous MYTEF funds to purchase the necessary tennis equipment, attire, and transportation for our players, and secure highly qualified tennis coaches to ensure consistency in our staff.
The MYTEF grant has been used to continue and expand the following Friends of CICS Tennis programming: junior summer camp is in its fifth year of programming, fourth year with CICS Lloyd Bond, third programming year for Chinatown Junior Tennis Camp, and second year with CICS Northtown High School. Our camp offers both summer and fall tennis instruction to beginner and novice players, serving approximately 200 kids.”
“Our CTA provides youth tennis programming, along with social events, tournaments, and adult league play. We offer the Midwest Youth Team Tennis program in the winter and summer, and the Midwest Futures program in the summer, and used our MYTEF grant to assist with instructor costs as well as purchasing equipment and providing scholarships. During 2015 more than 125 youth participated in one of these programs offered during one of three sessions. Our organization and a local club have partnered to offer the Midwest Youth Team Tennis winter program, and will continue to work together and offer a fall 2015 program, winter 2016 program, and summer 2016 program.
Our CTA held a physical education training in fall 2014 for Janesville elementary school teachers, and tennis was offered in the physical education classes this past spring. We has been offering youth tennis programming for six years, and around 15 former participants have moved through the program to play on their high school team and then come back as a coach for our programs.”
“Our organization established eight new youth tennis programs in Cincinnati Public elementary schools for the 2014-2015 school year bringing the total to 5,000 elementary students being introduced to tennis. There are now 41 programs taking place at 32 schools which either provide tennis during the physical education classes or after school as an extracurricular activity. The MYTEF grant was used to purchase modified tennis nets and balls for the eight new programs that resulted in 1,600 additional inner-city children experiencing tennis. We also provide the elementary students with opportunities to continue playing tennis during the summer at low cost community programs in the area.”
“Our summer program began as a 10 & Under tennis program in 2011 utilizing the QuickStart Tennis method of teaching tennis to children between five and ten years old. A pilot program was initiated this summer to include children ages 11-14 years of age, in order to expose tennis to more youth and to accommodate those young players who had aged out of the 10 & Under program. We had 97 junior players participate in both our 10 & Under program and pilot program for children 11-14 years old. Parents have told us how their children’s socialization skills greatly improved during the summer program. The MYTEF grant allowed us to keep our costs low, and helped us reach many children who otherwise may not have not been exposed to tennis.”
“Thank you for your generous grant, and I appreciate your support with my tennis and junior career. Without this grant I would not have been able to participate in the Jr. French Open and Wimbledon this summer. These tournaments prepared me for an amazing experience competing in the US Open Junior division where I reached the semifinals in singles and doubles. I had a close singles semifinal match against Dalma Galfi from Hungary 5-7, 6-7 and third set tiebreak doubles semifinal match with partner Luisa Stefani from Brazil 4-6, 7-6, 5-10 against tough doubles partners from Russia. I hope to thank you in person one day for this grant.”
Several community organizations were recently awarded funding by MYTEF through its first quarter grant application process. Find out more about each of these organizatins and how they’re using funding for their programs:
Activities Beyond the Classroom – this organization is working with the Cincinnati Public Schools to introduce tennis to students in their physical education classes. The organization will use its $1,600 grant to assist with purchasing equipment for the teachers and students to learn tennis through the USTA School Tennis program.
Buddy Up Tennis – this Ohio based organization is expanding its adaptive tennis program to two new sites in Michigan. The $2,500 grant funding will help assist with expenses including instructors, court time, and more to provide its youth participants an amazing tennis experience.
Janesville Tennis Association – this organization from Wisconsin is expanding its programming to offer a winter tennis session. The organization will use its $2,500 funding to provide a new winter session and continue its summer tennis program. The organization needs new appropriately sized youth equipment, and scholarships for youth who are financially unable to pay the participant fee.
Oak Hills Youth Athletics – this organization from the Cincinnati area is offering a summer youth tennis program. The organization needs appropriately sized youth equipment to help its participants achieve success on the court.
People for Palmer Park – this Detroit area organization wants to expand its programming to include a summer day camp and pilot program for youth over ten years of age. The $2,500 grant funding will help with expenses related to having appropriately sized youth equipment and court fees to provide its programs.
South Suburban Milwaukee Community Tennis Association – this Milwaukee area CTA is working with the local school district to introduce tennis to students in their physical education classes. The organization will use its $1,000 grant to assist with purchasing equipment for the teachers and students to learn tennis through the USTA School Tennis program.
Each year the Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation (MYTEF) provides scholarships to high school seniors attending college in the fall who need financial assistance. Applicants must reside within the USTA/Midwest Section that includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, as well as designed counties in Kentucky and West Virginia.
Following is the list of scholarships available this year:
Tim & Tom Gullikson – $2,500 awarded to one female and one male student
Richard Bradley Memorial – $2,500 awarded to one African American student
Hooked on Tennis – $1,000 awarded to one female and one male student
Each year MYTEF provides grants to junior players in need of financial assistance to excel on the tennis court. Daniel Rayl from Carmel, Indiana, received the EntouRaj for Kids High Performance Grant last year. Daniel used the funding to compete in a USTA/Midwest Designated tournament which we took home the singles title. He also used the funding to compete in the USTA/Midwest Team Cup Boys’ 18 event. Daniel had a successful summer last year competing in the USTA National Clay Court Championships, USTA National Open Championships, and USTA National Boys’ 18 Championships. Daniel is a senior in high school this year and has committed to attending and playing collegiate tennis at the University of Notre Dame this fall.
We appreciate the $2,500 grant we received, which enabled us to purchase equipment, pay high school coaches, and buy necessary supplies. We offered a seven-week after-school intramural tennis program for sixth graders at six Ann Arbor Public Middle Schools. We surpassed our goal of 150 participants, reaching 190 students in total. The program concluded with an all-school tournament. Most students were beginners and learned tennis for the first time. Many have mentioned they’re now asking for a tennis racquet for their next birthday so they can continue playing with their friends.
