The RITA (Research Is The Answer) Foundation began in Deercreek in 1997 to help raise awareness and money for breast cancer programs and research in Jacksonville. The RITA Foundation is an all-volunteer 501 (C) (3) public non-profit corporation registered with the Internal Revenue Service and State of Florida. This Foundation grew from humble beginnings of one event to as many as six annually. Currently, there are four fundraising events; three tennis tournaments and a 5K Walk/Run.
To date, the foundation has donated over $7,007,055.00. The SenioRITAs at Sawgrass event was developed in 2000 catering to tennis ladies 40 and over. 100 % of the proceeds from all RITA events remain local. Last year, 2023, RITA total net proceeds of $363,200.00 were donated to Mayo Clinic and Baptist Health. Cancer researcher at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Al Copland received a cash grant of $65,000.00. The balance was placed into our Cancer Endowments at Mayo Clinic (three) and The Baptist Foundation (49). These endowments have a value of $2,000,000.00+ and produce annual proceeds of $80,000.00+. RITA continues to grow these endowments, which in turn generate ongoing revenue for the various cancer programs we support.
Our recent projects include the Baptist Buddy Bus Mobile Mammography unit ($100,000.00 grant), Baptist Clay Imaging Center mammograms funded by five RITA Championships endowments, Baptist MD Anderson Life Wellness Center programs funded by five MixedRITA endowments, Baptist MD Anderson DigniCap programs funded by a $10,000.00 grant and ongoing funding from seven SenioRITAS endowments. Two new projects include MixedRITA funding cancer screening at Baptist Beaches and SenioRITAs committing to $250,000.00 toward the purchase of the newest MRI technology equipment for Baptist Beaches and ongoing funding from sixteen endowments.
Last year, the Deercreek Women’s Alliance supported the SenioRITAs event with a Sapphire Level sponsorship. The Deercreek Women’s Alliance is grateful to donate to this wonderful organization. Many members of DWA have been afflicted by breast cancer or know of family and friends that have been impacted and wish to help make a difference through research.
The SenioRITAs at Sawgrass women’s tennis event is this October 11-13 at Sawgrass Country Club. Already on their 2025 calendar is the Caring And Sharing Hope 5 K Walk/Run at Nocatee in January, The RITA Championships Women’s Tennis event at Eagle Landing in March and the MixedRITA tennis event at Sawgrass Country Club in June with SenioRITAs in October.
Thank you to Nancy and Chuck Jantz for their continued fundraising efforts. The RITA Foundation won the USTA/Florida President’s Award in 2022 and Outstanding Foundation from the local chapter of the Association of Professional Fundraisers in 2023.
Donations In Honor of or In Memory of a special person are a wonderful way to support this worthwhile cause during October – Breast Cancer Month – or at any time of the year. To learn more about The RITA Foundation, or to donate, please visit their website: www.the-rita-foundation.org.