Rally For Life In the Fight Against Cancer Raises More Than $2,500- Margot Ferron

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Mission Viejo served up its 7th Rally for Life Tennis Tournament on Sun., March 29, 2015 at the Tennis Pavilion at the MargueriteRecreationCenter.

“We try to make it fun, but intense. Any team can win,” said Sam Cho, Community Services Coordinator, who has set the format and schedule for the last seven years.

It isn’t your typical tennis tournament. Each doubles team played three rounds of tennis against opponents of similar ability. Each round was a 41-point game. The first team to reach 41 points or the team that was ahead after 30 minutes won.

Each player served four points and the teams changed sides after all four players served. The team with the highest total point’s win/loss percentage is the tournament champion.

Many doubles partners included a husband/wife, father/daughter, grandfather/grandson, boyfriend/girlfriend teams along with friends playing together. If you didn’t have a partner you were matched with one.

Throughout the day players enjoyed a complimentary lunch, beverages and snacks.

The winners in the red division were Don Baer and Rick Gebhardt and in the purple division: Darlene Erin and Lynn Kamada won.

The event concluded with a silent auction that included several gift baskets and various gift certificates donated by local businesses. Some of the items included several one-hour sessions with various tennis Pro’s including Blaine Patton and Jason Harnett, complimentary tickets to Saddleback Performing Arts production of Bonnie & Clyde, All For You Reiki 90-minute healing energy session, a three-month family membership to the YMCA, two-free-rounds of golf with a golf cart at Casa Del Sol, Lei Jes Catering Wine & Cheese for four and much, much more.

Rally For Life, team Mission Possible’s fundraiser wasn’t just about a game, but it was also about creating awareness and raising money to fight against cancer. The tournament and auction raised more than $2,500. Mission Possible has been one of the top five fundraising teams for many years.

Thank you to the City of Mission Viejo, businesses, sponsors, volunteers and players who made this event successful. To register or volunteer with Relay go to www.mvrelay.org, www.facebook.com/mvrelay or twitter @mv_RelayForLife.

For more information please call, Denise Matson at 949-933-0732 or email denisematson17@gmail.com. Also, feel free to call Margot Ferron/Publicity/Marketing at 949/309-1235 or gomargotgo@aol.com.