By Melissa Robinson
Contributing Editor

  Several dozen tennis players participated in the Racquet Up for Cancer Tennis Tournament, held last week at Richard Craig Park in McDonough, to raise money for Henry County Cancer Services and in doing so, raised over $4,000 that will go directly to help cancer patients in Henry County.

Pictured are (l. to r.) Lea Kelley and Cheryl Trahan, board members with Henry County Cancer Services, Deborah Sheneman with Henry Radiation Oncology, Jackie Sansonetti, board member with HCCS and Meredith Kelley, with VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, the presenting sponsor for the HCCS Racquet Up for Cancer Tennis Tournament. The tournament was held on March 9, where more than $4,000 was raised to help cancer patients in Henry County.       Photo by Melissa Robinson

  Tournament winners were Larry Mackey and Christian Zalesky in the Men’s A Division and Keith Seiler and Joe Tirado in the Men’s B Division. Winners in the Women's Division were Danielle Gaude and Kimberly Campbell in the A Division and Heidi Pickett and Kathy Wilson in the B Division.

  Joanie Whitson, Board of Directors President for HCCS said the funds raised will allow the organization to aid Henry County residents who struggle with cancer with their financial needs, which range from medical co-pays to reimbursement for mileage to and from the doctors office.

  The non-profit organization has been helping cancer patients in Henry County since 2002, and is able to allocate 97 percent of donations directly to patient care by holding fundraising events and with the help of its dedicated volunteers who manage the day-to-day administration.

  Whitson said she has been pleased with the organization’s fundraising efforts and said the goal for 2013 is to secure more grants to help with the ever-increasing number of cancer patients who contact HCCS for help.

  Henry County Cancer Services, Inc.  assists individuals and families struggling from the effects of cancer on their lives and helps patients at their point of need. Between 2007 and 2009, HCCS assisted 101 patients and the numbers continue to grow.

  For more information about HCCS, please visit www.henrycountycancerservices.com.