'Unique and special.' Norwalk pickleball tournament raises money for Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Health
Andrew Stallings says 100% of net proceeds from the event will go directly toward mammograms, breast ultrasounds, MRIs and support services for women who need them most.
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A breast cancer survivor and her entrepreneur husband hosted a charity pickleball tournament to benefit underserved women in Fairfield County.
Bonnie Stallings beat stage 2 breast cancer back in 2018 thanks in part to the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Health.
Her husband, Andrew, is president of Connecticut-based sports marketing agency, Athelo Group.
The two joined forces to host the well-attended event Friday night at The Sports Haus in Norwalk.
"We wanted to do something really unique and special to give back, so we thought, why not pickleball?" says Andrew Stallings.
Proceeds from the inaugural charity tournament will benefit the Bennett Cancer Center's "Paint the Town Pink" campaign.
"Events like these are critical, and at a pickleball tournament... it's a team sport," executive director of the Bennett Cancer Center Kevin Brumit says. "Cancer care is also a team sport, and without our community partners, we would not be able to deliver the cancer care that our patients deserve."
Andrew Stallings says 100% of net proceeds from the event will go directly toward mammograms, breast ultrasounds, MRIs and support services for women who need them most.
"At the end of the day, it's about people like Bonnie and many others who go through this day-in and day-out," Andrew Stallings says. "This is hopefully one very, very small way we can give back, and be a part of something greater with the Bennett Cancer Center for many, many years to come."
A community rallying together during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
