Left to right: Chip Coupal, York Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Club Board President; Jan Underhill, the club’s “Put Away Cancer” tournament co-chair; Kate Ford, club member and York Hospital Director of Volunteer & Student Experiences; Susan Kelly-Westman, York Hospital Oncology Social Worker; Mary Ellen Valhos, Practice Manager, York Oncology Services; and Dr. Patrick Taylor, York Hospital President & CEO.
York Hospital President and CEO, Dr. Patrick A. Taylor, and York Hospital Oncology caregivers recently accepted a check for $14,000 from the York Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Club (YPPC). For the second consecutive year, funds were raised through the club’s end-of-season tournament to help cancer patients through York Hospital’s Living Well With Cancer Fund. Club members were delighted to raise even more money this year than last and tournament co-chair Jan Underhill explained that while more than 65 YPPC Pickleball members participated, many others also contributed to the fundraiser. “Unfortunately, many of our members, if not all, have a personal experience with cancer. Having the opportunity to help others and hopefully ease some of their challenges is very meaningful and inspiring,” shared Underhill. “Online donations made it easy for those who were unable to attend the event, and the overwhelming generosity of our members exceeded all expectations,” she added.
While accepting the donation, Oncology Social Worker Susan Kelly-Westman said the hospital was most grateful to the York Paddle and Pickleball Club for this generous donation to the Living Well with Cancer Fund. She added that “The fund assists people in our community who are being treated for cancer in a myriad of ways—from free exercise classes, support groups, acupuncture, yoga, art classes, and massage, to helping with living expenses like wigs, rent, heat, groceries, and gas. Every donation goes directly to patient care and the programs help alleviate the burden—both emotional and financial—of the cancer journey.”
York Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Club Board President Chip Coupal commented, “We at York Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Club can think of no better local cause than the Living Well with Cancer Fund at York Hospital to help our fellow neighbors in need. These past few years have been challenging for all of us and our membership has shown what we can do when we work together as a team. We look forward to helping out long into the future.”
For details about York Hospital’s Cancer Care services, contact Susan Kelly-Westman, LMSW, at 207-351-3721, York Hospital Oncology & Infusion Care, 127 Long Sands Road, York, ME 03909. Donate today to the York Hospital Living Well With Cancer Fund, or for more information, contact the Community Relations office at 207-351-2385 or [email protected].
If you are interested in discovering more about YPPC, visit yorkpaddletennisclub.org or contact them at [email protected].