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This has been a very successful year for the SenioRitas, which is part of the Rita Foundation. On the 24th anniversary of the SenioRitas Tennis Tournament at Sawgrass Country Club on Oct. 13-15, the group raised $242,000 in donations, surpassing all previous years. All proceeds from the tournament go to breast cancer research and patient services.
In addition, the all-volunteer group’s endowments generated another $85,000 in 2023.
To date, the SenioRitas have raised more than $2.8 million. This funding supports Mayo Clinic research, Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Baptist M.D. Anderson, the Buddy Bus mobile mammography unit and the Dignicap patient support initiative, which provides a device that helps reduce hair loss during chemotherapy.
The Buddy Bus, operated by Baptist Health, makes mammograms available to women who may otherwise lack access. Because the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer at some point in her life is 13%, according to the American Cancer Society, and because many women have no symptoms, screening is critical.
The bus travels throughout the six counties in Northeast Florida: Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns. It can be requested to visit work sites or events; go to baptistjax.com/services/womens-health/breast-health/buddy-bus.
The SenioRITAs contributed $50,000 toward the cost of the bus, with the remainder paid by members of the Rita Foundation.
The SenioRitas Tennis Tournament, held at the Sawgrass Racquet Club, was sold out and drew more than 300 participants from multiple states. It also included an auction party on Oct. 10 at The Yards and other events.
The overarching Rita Foundation has donated more than $6.3 million to breast cancer research since 1996. It was named the 2023 Outstanding Foundation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Florida, First Coast Chapter, having been nominated by the Baptist Health Foundation, Mayo Clinic and the University of Florida Health.
For further information, go to www.the-rita-foundation.org/senioritas.
