Let's talk tennis

Serena's un-ladylike outburst at last weekend's U.S. Open made headlines, but I'd like to think 17-year-old Melanie Oudin's Cinderella story will linger longer in people's memories.

Maybe I suffer from Pollyanna syndrome (at least it's not the flu!), but I like to see hardworking athletes with good attitudes succeed. (My husband still contends the foot fault call was a joke.)

If you run with the cockeyed optimist crowd like I do, you'll be excited to learn more about the Children Helping Children Junior Singles Tennis Tournament this October 2 - 4. Kids ages 8 - 18 are invited to grab their rackets and pass the hat to raise money for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's.

For 19 years, Pam and Ken Sumrow have helped organize this fund-raising tourney in honor of their son, who at age 5, was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma. Doctors at Children's found a cure for Clint's cancer, and as a way to say thanks, the Sumrows gathered their family and friends to play tennis and pay it forward. Today, their handsome and healthy son teaches tennis lessons - pretty neat how the world works sometimes, isn't it?

Nearly 20 years later, the Sumrows still get choked up when they reminisce about their family's experience.



If you've got a little tennis pro in-the-making living at your house or if you want to sponsor an athlete at this year's tournament, check out the web site and learn how to get involved. An online auction, which also raises money for the hospital, is already open and taking bids. And let's hear it for all the athletes out there who inspire goodness in others and create their own fairytale endings.