Pickleball tournament held in Richmond for colorectal cancer prevention, awareness
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A pickleball tournament was held in Richmond on Sunday to spread awareness about colon health and colorectal cancer prevention.
On Sunday, Feb. 23, the nonprofit organization Hitting Cancer Below the Belt held a pickleball tournament at Bangers and Dinks, located at 1516 Koger Center Boulevard, where participants could win prizes, as well as learn about colon health and colorectal cancer prevention.
Hitting Cancer Below the Belt is a Richmond area nonprofit organization dedicated to colon health and colorectal cancer prevention by providing education and access to services that "move people from awareness to action."
Hitting Cancer Below the Belt's pickleball tournament on Sunday, Feb. 23. (Photo courtesy: William Berksteiner, 8News)
(Photo courtesy: William Berksteiner, 8News)
(Photo courtesy: William Berksteiner, 8News)
Mindy Conklin, executive director of Hitting Cancer Below the Belt, said the tournament was hosted by the organization's junior board.
"We started a junior board about three years ago because colorectal cancer diagnoses are rising sharply in the younger community," Conklin said. "And here we are today with the 2nd annual Whack Cancer in the Gut pickleball tournament hosted by our high school students."
Conklin said students part of the organization's junior board gain the experience of marketing, planning and budgeting to bring people together to discuss colon health and colorectal cancer prevention.
Conklin said 10 different high schools in the Richmond area were involved in the tournament on Sunday, which included Maggie Walker, Deep Run, Monacan and Powhatan high schools.
"As a founder and executive director, I can't tell you how proud I am of these high school students who are getting involved and really sharing colon health information with their peers," Conklin said.
About 50 players participated in the tournament, with 30 players participating in the competitive division and 20 players in the social division, according to Conklin.
