Stephanie Jones serves it up on the tennis court. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
The Salem Health Foundation hosted a mixed tennis and pickleball tournament on May 21 at the Salem Tennis & Swim Club. The goal was to bring greater awareness to women’s heart health issues.
Since 1968, the Salem Health Foundation has worked alongside Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics and other community partners to improve health and wellness within the region. The foundation raises and distributes funds to programs supporting patient financial assistance, cancer treatment, healthcare scholarships and medical training.
The first annual Women’s Health Tennis & Pickleball Tournament raised money for women-focused heart health clinics and programs that provide direct financial assistance to cardiac patients.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. The CDC estimates that heart disease accounts for one out of every five female deaths in the United States. Because the signs of heart disease differ among men and women, symptoms of heart-related issues may not be immediately recognized.
The tournament began early Saturday morning with a yoga warm-up hosted by Common People Yoga. Lorissa Addabbo led tournament participants and community members through a holistic series of stretches to prepare them for the day ahead.
The tennis and pickleball tournaments kicked off in the mid-morning, with participants battling for the top spot in women’s, men’s, and mixed doubles divisions. Staff from Salem Tennis and Swim Club helped oversee matches. Other event supporters included C & R Design Remodel, Hope Orthopedics of Oregon, and Salem Clinic. It was one of the first beautiful Saturdays of the season, perfect for outdoor tennis. Stephanie Jones and Michelle Cook from Salem Clinic took up a racket and tried to keep the sun out of their eyes.
After several rounds of competition, four doubles teams were crowned the winners.
Supporting women’s heart health is one of the many ways the Salem Health Foundation works to create a healthier community. You can learn more about the Salem Health Foundation by visiting SalemHealthFoundation.org.
Lorissa Addabbo from Common People Yoga leads a yoga warmup (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Salem Clinic’s Michelle Jones plays in the tournament (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Pickleball players compete at the Salem Health Foundation tournament (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Tennis players compete at the Salem Health Foundation tournament (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Women’s doubles pickleball winners, Mica Hippen and Janet Lui-Hansen (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Mary Louise VanNatta is a Salem public relations professional writing regularly for Salem Reporter. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook.
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