Inaugural Linda's Legacy Tennis Tournament of Love A Huge Success for American Lung Association

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:03:04 +0000

On September 27-30th, the inaugural Linda’s Legacy Women’s Doubles Tennis Tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida was held, where former world number 1 tennis player and International Hall of Fame member, Tracy Austin took part in this event which raised over $110,00 to benefit the American Lung Association of Florida.

’Linda’s Legacy: A Tournament of Love’ is named after Linda Paul-Skeeles, who died in 2005 from lung cancer. It aims to raise awareness about lung cancer among women, highlighting its devastating and often fatal effects: more women die from lung cancer than from breast, ovarian and cervical cancers combined. “My grandfather actually died of lung cancer. My mother’s father, and it was actually before I was born, so I never even knew him,” said Austin, “but she always told us growing up how painful it was to see him be in so much pain, and that’s what Linda died of.”

Honoring Linda’s memory, while reminding women and their loved ones that smoking kills, participants included: Tracy Austin, MaliVai Washington (Wimbledon singles finalist and member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team), Bernie Kopell (The Love Boat doctor who participates in celebrity tennis tournaments), and Brian Gottfried, (winner of the U.S. Open senior doubles and Wimbledon senior doubles), among others.

Look To The Stars News: MaliVai Washington

Inaugural Linda's Legacy Tennis Tournament of Love A Huge Success for American Lung Association