ST. PETERSBURG, FL, USA – WTA Charities has launched its first-ever global philanthropic campaign, “Aceing Cancer, ” in an effort to recognize and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
A month of activities will take place throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, with the goal of raising both awareness and funds for various cancer organizations.
"We are thrilled to announce the WTA’s first global philanthropic campaign," said Ann Austin, WTA Senior Director of Community Development.
"So many of our players, tournaments, partners and friends are engaged in charitable initiatives that the WTA is pleased to be able to support through donations and in-kind gifts."
To kick off the campaign, WTA players, including Simona Halep, Karolina Pliskova, Naomi Osaka, Bianca Andreescu, Ashleigh Barty, Kiki Bertens and Petra Kvitova, have recorded a breast cancer awareness PSA.
The first event which WTA Charities will sponsor in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the Pretty In Pink Charity Tennis Tournament on October 5-6 in Clearwater, Fla., in close proximity to WTA’s global headquarters in St. Petersburg, Fla.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Women With Purpose, a local nonprofit that assists cancer patients with basic daily living expenses.
In Asia, WTA Charities will support Think Pink, an annual tennis and yoga event organized by the American Club of Hong Kong on Oct. 14, benefiting the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation.
In addition, through the Tianjin Open’s charitable support of breast cancer, the WTA has donated a VIP weekend package to the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen to be auctioned off by the Tianjin International Community Center (TICC) at its 10th annual Pink Ribbon Gala on Oct. 26.
The gala proceeds are directed to a local cancer hospital, and during the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen, three "Aceing Cancer" initiatives will offer fundraising opportunities as well as heighten awareness.
These activations include a WTA "Aceing Cancer" clinic to bring attention to breast cancer awareness, and proceeds from sales of a special WTA "Aceing Cancer" wristband at the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen with go towards to a local breast cancer organization in Shenzhen.
Additionally, WTA Charities will make a donation for every ace served throughout the season-ending championships to support the American Cancer Society.
Through a partnership with ACS and the Cancer Research Racquet, an international organization of business professionals who love the game of tennis and raise money to fund cancer researchers, funds raised through this initiative will support a researcher focused on cancers that most impact women.
In addition to the activities during October, WTA Charities has committed donations to the Plooschter Projet, recognized by the BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open to encourage stem cell donations and registration, and the Breast Cancer Foundation Singapore, for which WTA Charities funded the first tennis therapy program for breast cancer survivors.
"These are several of the important initiatives of WTA Charities which are directed to 'Aceing Cancer,'" added Austin.
"The mission of WTA Charities is to promote health and wellness, and we are committed year-round to our goal of improving lives whenever we can make a difference."
