Charity tournament combines sport with organ donation awareness
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Palmetto Life) — A two-day pickleball tournament aimed at raising awareness and funds for transplant recipients, donors and their families is scheduled for July 24 and 25 at Pickleball Kingdom in Mount Pleasant.
The event, called Pickleball for Hope, is organized by We Are Sharing Hope SC. Communications Director Krystal Cau said the tournament is open to players of all skill levels — beginners, intermediate and advanced — and that spectators are also welcome.
‘More than a sporting event’
Cau said the event is designed to bring together donor families and transplant recipients while educating the broader community about organ and tissue donation.
“It’s a community event,” Cau said. “It’s a way for us to celebrate our donor heroes, bring the community out together. Donor families and transplant recipients can connect with one another and really raise awareness for the work that we’re doing across the state for organ donation.”
Cau said there are currently more than 1,900 people on the organ transplant waiting list in South Carolina. She said one registered donor can potentially save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance up to 75 lives through tissue donation.
Awareness and education
Cau said misconceptions and misinformation surrounding donation make community outreach a priority for the organization.
“The work that we do with educating throughout community events throughout the state is really a way for us to engage and build that trust with the community so they can make an informed decision and then share that with their families,” Cau said.
She said honoring donor legacies is central to the organization’s mission.
“That’s who we serve,” Cau said. “Our donation mission is serving our community and serving our donor families — that their loved ones said yes to the gift of life.”
How to register
Registration for Pickleball for Hope opens March 2. Viewers of the Palmetto Life segment are offered a discount code for $5 off registration. The website sharinghopesc.org is where participants can register and learn more about the event.
Cau said We Are Sharing Hope SC hosts events year-round, including a health fair in August, and encouraged community members to visit the organization’s website to find additional ways to get involved and advocate for donation.
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