The 3rd Annual Mats Wilander Foundation & debra of America Tennis Pro-Am will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the historic grass courts of West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City. Play with Mats Wilander and Cameron Lickle of Wilander on Wheels, as well as current and former pros, to raise money and awareness for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). EB is a rare, debilitating, and often fatal genetic connective tissue disorder that affects 1 out of every 20,000 births in the United States. Those with EB are often known as “Butterfly Children” for their fragile skin.
The Tennis Pro-Am is open to guests of all ages and skill levels. World-ranked pros who have attended the Pro-Am include: Leslie Allen, Jonas Björkman, James Blake, Jim Courier, Thomas Johansson, John McEnroe, Karel Nováček, Jared Palmer, and Mikael Pernfors. The event is a full day of dining, clinics, pro challenges, individual and team competitions, and more. Register as a 4-person Doubles Team and compete for prizes. Dining-only tickets are also available. Ticket sales, including the $275 Player Pass ticket, help support debra of America’s free Programs and Services and research for an EB cure. For tickets and sponsorship levels, visit: debra.org/tennis.
TICKET INCLUDES
• Play with Mats Wilander, Former World #1 Tennis Player, 7 Grand Slam Singles Titles & International Tennis Hall of Fame Member
• Hit with Former & Current World-Ranked Tennis Pros on 3 Court Surfaces - Including Grass!
• Participate in Instructional Clinics, Competition Drills & Round-Robins
• Team Competition for Prizes • Meet-and-Greet with Pros • View a Professional Exhibition Match in the Former US Open Tennis Championships Stadium
• Continental Breakfast and Barbecue Lunch with Beer, Wine & Cocktails
ABOUT THE MW FOUNDATION
“Save It. Send It. Share It.” are the ideals that the MW Foundation stands for, not only while on a tennis court but in everyday life. Mats Wilander started the Foundation in association with Wilander on Wheels when his 18-year-old son, Erik, was born with a mild form of Epidermolysis Bullosa. Mats has been instrumental in helping debra of America raise awareness and funds for research to find a cure and their free supportive Programs and Services. wilanderonwheels.com
ABOUT DEBRA OF AMERICA
The Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America (debra of America), founded in 1980, is headquartered in New York City and is the only U.S. nonprofit providing all-inclusive support to the EB Community, through funding research for a cure and providing free Programs and Services for those with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) - “The Worst Disease You've Never Heard Of.” debra.org
WHAT IS EB
Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic connective tissue disorder in which children do not produce a vital protein that allows their skin to adhere to itself. Because their skin is so fragile, they are often known as “Butterfly Children.” EB afflicts both genders and all racial and ethnic backgrounds equally. The most well-known and prominent manifestation of EB is blistering or tearing of the skin from any friction. Taking off a shirt or even receiving a hug is incredibly painful and causes the skin to peel away. Imagine your child suffering from a disease where more than 70% of their body is covered in open sores and blisters. debra.org/whatiseb.
The Mats Wilander Foundation & debra of America Tennis Pro-Am: pictured left to right: Cameron Lickle, Karel Nováček, Jonas Björkman, Thomas Johansson, David Graham, Mats Wilander
