USTA Pro Circuit Event Dedicates Kids Day Clinic to Fundraise for Pediatric Stroke Awareness

May 27, 2010 - PRLog -- Shaker Heights, OH – The 2010 Ladies Cleveland Open organizers announced that the Kids Day Clinic on Tuesday, June 22 will focus its efforts to raise funds and awareness for the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital (CCCH) Pediatric Stroke Awareness and Continuing Education.

There are multiple reasons to create awareness of stroke in children.  These include the need for a timely diagnosis, funds for research into causes and treatment, and funding for research into treatment of the multiple disabilities that result in more than 50 percent of these little stroke survivors.  “Pediatric stroke is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children.  Approximately 2/3 of children will have residual difficulties, including motor difficulties, seizures, educational and emotional problems.” Said Dr. Neil Friedman, MBChB, at CCCH.

Tuesday’s event is FREE.  Patients (former and current), and children participating in the Siblings program at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital are encouraged to participate.  Children ages 4 – 17 have a unique opportunity to participate in a tennis clinic conducted by area professionals and touring participants.  Children 10 and under will be introduced to QuickStart Tennis, an innovative new play format that appropriately scales down all aspects of regulation tennis—including equipment, court dimensions, and scoring—so that the game becomes specifically tailored to their age and size.  Older kids will warm-up and participate in a series of drills, strokes and strategies coordinated by the touring tennis professionals.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm      Children 10 & Under (QuickStart Tennis Format)
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm      Children 10 & Older

Space is limited to the first 70 children to sign up per session.  To register for the Kids Day Clinic, contact Chagrin Valley Athletic Club tennis office at 440/543.5141 by June 17.  More information is available at http://www.clevelandprotennis.com

As part of our fundraising efforts, a raffle will be held the week of the tournament.  Donations are also welcome to help bring meaningful care and useful information to families dealing with Pediatric Stroke.  For more information on how to make a contribution please contact Diana de la Rosa at 216/973.3028.

“Like other families whose lives have been touched by pediatric stroke, we want to do our part to give back to the community and spread the word that children have strokes too.  We hope that you will join us in our effort to raise funds for the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital in order to improve the lives of children and families affected by pediatric stroke,” said Sebastien Glinzler, Tournament Director.