The Billy Bob Pickleball event is scheduled for Saturday, July 13th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.   The cost to participate is $60 per team of two players.  There is a maximum of 32 teams.  You can also sign up as a spectator for $25.  The deadline to register as a player or spectator is Friday, June 28, 2024 at 11:55 PM. The event is being held at Chicken N Pickle in St. Charles, 1500 S Main Street, St. Charles, MO 63303.

Sign up today! Click here.

Donations are welcome!

If you are unable to participate but would still like to make a difference, you can donate to the event. Also, everyone can create an online custom fundraising page to help make an even bigger impact. 

Click here to donate or to create your own fundraiser!

 
Sponsorships Available!

There are various sponsorship levels available. The deadline for sponsors is: Friday, June 28, 2024, 11:59 PM EST.

To view the sponsorship opportunties, click here!

Stacey's Story:

Stacey Wright is the lead coordinator of this event and lost her father to esophageal cancer.

“My father began to experience symptoms in November 2015, which included extreme fatigue, throat discomfort (as he described it “swallowing rocks”) along with chest and back pain. We knew that there was something seriously wrong the day he threw his favorite snack away in the trash, a bologna and tomato sandwich.

Dad had been a smoker for 50 plus years, however, had quit 6 years prior to the diagnosis. His diet wasn’t the best, and he struggled with untreated reflux symptoms, which he would continuously dismiss. Dad always preferred a flat pillow or surface when sleeping, which didn’t help with the reflux either. What we would later learn is that all these factors most likely contributed to the disease.

Whether he was too nervous for of a doctor’s visit, in denial or possibly thought there wasn’t anything terribly wrong, the diagnosis came a little too late. Dad was diagnosed with Stage IV (4) esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma) on February 17^th, 2016 and passed away on April 28th that same year. To say watching his demise was heartbreaking is an understatement. After his passing, I had to find a way to redirect my sadness and anger, as well as attempt to make a difference somehow and do right by him.

I decided to find a way to help with funding and research. What I learned is that there are not many funding opportunities for esophageal cancer in the St. Louis area. Over the last several years, I have worked with The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, along with St. Louis Parks, to coordinate a “walkathon” to support this cause by raising awareness and education. However, we have decided to change things up and organize a pickle ball tournament for this year’s fundraising event!

I am extremely honored to be a part of Salgi as the Missouri Chapter Representative for their foundation. I am also proud to announce that my son will be joining me in this role and mission as well. If awareness can be provided or result in an early detection for just one person, then this event will be an absolute success!!!

Thank You In-Kind Donor:

Jackie Peck

About the event:

The Billy Bob Pickleball event will benefit The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity working to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and fund research of esophageal cancer...in hopes of a cure.™

Esophageal Cancer Research:

2015: First esophageal cancer research grant awarded.

2018: Second esophageal cancer research grant awarded.

2023: Salgi awards THREE additional grants for esophageal cancer research.

Esophageal Cancer Awareness & Early Detection:

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation has also raised awareness and encouraged early detection both nationally AND internationally since 2011. Your continued support directly impacts and sustains this mission!

In Hopes of a CURE™!

Learn the facts about esophageal cancer:

-Esophageal cancer has increased over 733% in the past four decades and is considered the fastest growing cancer in the US and western world.

-Risk factors include:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD, acid reflux, chronic heartburn),

• obesity,

• poor nutrition,

• tobacco use,

• excessive alcohol use,

• Barrett’s esophagus.

-As one of the deadliest cancers, esophageal cancer has a 5-year survival rate of only 21.7%.

-There are no routine or standard screenings to improve early detection of esophageal cancer.

-Symptoms often arise late once the cancer is considered advanced or “distant” (spread to lymph nodes and other organs.)

-Stage IV esophageal cancer has a survival rate of only 5.6%.

-Despite all these facts, esophageal cancer research is extremely underfunded.

-In 2024, an estimated 22,370 will be diagnosed and there will be an estimated 16,130 deaths.

Make a difference!

Join The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation to help make a difference against esophageal cancer. Whether you sign-up, sponsor or donate, your involvement will directly support this life-saving mission. Thank you!