TO ALL SQUASH PLAYERS AND FANS
Announcing the upcoming
LET’S SQUASH LEUKEMIA Squash Tournament
Hosted by The River Club
Richmond, B.C.
October 10-14, 2007

The River Club and its members are very pleased to announce the “Let’s Squash Leukemia” squash tournament, to be held at The River Club in Richmond the weekend of October 10-14, 2007. This action-packed tournament will raise funds for The Michael Cuccione Foundation, a charity which has devoted its efforts to eradicating childhood cancer.

The Tournament Committee’s aim is to ensure that 100% of all entries in the tournament (participant entry fee will be approximately $50) will be donated to benefit children’s cancer research through The Michael Cuccione Foundation. Michael Cuccione was a remarkable young man who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a child, began his crusade for cancer awareness and research at the age of 9, and sadly passed away at the tender age of 16 due to respiratory complications. His family continues the Foundation to carry on his wishes to truly “Make a Difference”. (Foundation’s website: www.makingadifference.org).

In attendance will be Jonathon Power, formerly ranked #1 World Squash Champion. Our own Genevieve Duford will also be there. Genevieve is a 2-time AML leukemia survivor and newly-appointed spokesperson for The Michael Cuccione Foundation. It’s all for a great cause AND it’s a weekend you wouldn’t want to miss.

“We’re so excited about having Jonathon Power here” says John Fleury of The River Club, Chairman of the Tournament. “This demonstrates the level at which people in the squash community are willing to rally together for a good cause. Jonathon’s attendance will heighten awareness for leukemia research and help increase the total amount of funds raised for this very worthy cause.” John has been a catalyst in getting this fundraising project off the ground. He too has been touched by this disease, losing his sister Fiona to CML leukemia at the age of 42. And other members of the Committee have been directly affected by cancer and are working tirelessly to make this fundraiser a huge success.

Genevieve Duford is also very excited. “I was in the hospital with Michael Cuccione,” she explains. “We were both receiving cancer treatment at the same time. I’m proud to help carry on his work. And it’s fitting that The River Club is getting involved. John has always been my coach and I wanted to make sure we did something to honour those we have lost, especially Fiona. When I was first diagnosed with leukemia, I was a teenager who was very immersed in squash, and the squash community rallied around me and supported me in every way they could. It made a difference then and it’s going to make a difference now.”

The Tournament will kick off with a post-match dinner Friday night, a dinner/dance Saturday night, and a casual finale with wine and cheese Sunday afternoon.

Take note that the Tournament will be AAA ranking, so it’s well worth picking up your racquet. There will be a silent auction with MANY exciting items donated by some of our sponsors, and raffle tickets for some incredible prizes, such as a week’s accommodation in Puerto Vallarta, 2 nights in Whistler, Daniel Sedin autographed jersey, Brent Seabrook autographed jersey, full membership at The River Club, and much, much more.

We invite all members of Squash BC and our North American squash friends to participate in this fabulous event. Competition, camaraderie and a cause worth fighting for all add up to a weekend to remember. If you cannot participate but wish to make a donation to “Let’s Squash Leukemia”, please email John Fleury, Chairman of “Let’s Squash Leukemia”, at jcfleury@apolloemrik.com or phone The River Club at (604) 272-4400.