On Thursday, February 5, Rockaway Beach Pickleball & Golf (RBPG) hosted a special fundraiser during World Cancer Awareness Week to support Runway For Recovery, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring breast cancer survivors and assisting families affected by the disease. Women of all ages gathered at the courts to play pickleball while raising awareness about the critical importance of early breast cancer detection. Tammy Leyden of Breastie Friends Forever, a nonprofit led by breast cancer survivors, was present to share information and advocate for early screening. The event raised over $1,500, according to RBPG co-owner Justine Moriarty, sending a clear message about the life-saving value of early diagnosis.
Founders Share Their Breast Cancer Journeys and Mission
Breastie Friends Forever was founded by Staten Island childhood friends Tammy Leyden and Caryn Siegel Finley, both breast cancer survivors. Leyden explained their shared experience, saying,
“We both grew up around the corner from each other, and a year apart in 2017 and 2018, we were both diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy.”
Through their nonprofit, they created a supportive community for women to share their cancer experiences and encourage early testing. Their advocacy gained prominence after they walked the runway for Runway For Recovery’s fashion show last March, wearing dresses from the acclaimed Badgley Mischka fashion house.
Leyden highlighted the crucial role of early detection in her own story:
“Thankfully for both Caryn and I, it was caught early. My mother passed away from breast cancer when she was only 49 years old. She never had a mammogram and never went to the doctor to get checked. So, in 2018, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I just felt so lucky that it was caught early. I started having mammograms when I was 24, and that’s because I had a family history of breast cancer with my mother. Most people don’t start getting tested that early, but family history plays a role. This is why I am so passionate about spreading the word and advocating for early detection, so that no one has to go through what I did when I lost my mom.”
Promoting Tools for Breast Cancer Awareness
At the event, Leyden also distributed information about Know Your Lemons, a global campaign that educates women about breast cancer detection. The campaign’s free, award-winning app offers a variety of resources, including an audio guide for monthly self-examinations, personalized screening plans based on risk factors, symptom identification, and instructions for preparing for medical tests such as mammograms and biopsies. It also allows users to book mammogram appointments at their preferred locations. Leyden urged,
“I encourage everyone to download the free Know Your Lemons app. It not only helps you keep track of your mammogram, but it also gives information about the 12 signs of breast cancer.”
She added,
“We are so passionate about early detection because we know that catching it early gives women such a great chance of being okay. We just want to just spread the word. And if we just reach one person, we’ll have done what we’ve set out to do.”
Community Figures Embrace the Cause and the Game
Among the attendees was popular NYC pickleball personality Nikki Maldonado, known online as Pickleballnikki. She used the opportunity to highlight how pickleball contributes to overall mental health and to encourage participants to take the Pickleball Joy Pledge. Maldonado reflected on her experience with the sport, saying,
“Playing pickleball has helped me cope with anxiety and depression. When I started playing, I shifted to this sense of light and joy. It’s not even about being the best on the court, but the friends and community you suddenly become a part of, even if you’re not good at the sport itself. First of all, it’s the easiest sport to learn for all fitness levels. They say, ‘It’s an easy sport to learn, hard to master.’ But again, it’s not about that. It’s the community that brings the joy.”
When asked about her first visit to Rockaway Beach Pickleball, Maldonado shared,
“Gloria, the ‘mayor’ of Rockaway Beach Pickleball, is one of my followers and reached out about the event. I’ve played at almost every pickleball court in NYC. This is my first time here. On my platform, Pickleballnikki, I do court reviews about the facilities, the amenities, playing surfaces, etc. I have to say Rockaway Beach Pickleball is instantly already one of my favorites. My trip from Astoria was well worth it.”
Hosts Reflect on Building a Community Hub in Rockaway
Rockaway Beach Pickleball & Golf is co-owned by husband-and-wife John Walsh and Justine Moriarty, alongside siblings Mike and Lori Tellone. Walsh shared their vision behind the facility, which opened seven months ago. He explained,
“This is not just a place for people to play pickleball and simulated golf. It’s way more than that. This is about community. We built the place over a period of five years. First, it was just going to be a pickleball with a few courts. Then, we added the simulated golf. Then, we realized that people wanted to do parties and fundraisers. So, we added the full bar and kitchen, so we could serve finger foods. Justine and I played at the YMCA for years, but we wanted to offer something different.”
Walsh emphasized the local need for such a venue, stating,
“I’ve lived in Breezy all my life, and Rockaway never had anything like this. Growing up, we’d have to go to Cross Bay if we wanted to go bowling. To me, pickleball is like the new bowling. And our place is like the new Dave and Buster. And it’s not just locals coming. Folks are coming from Howard Beach, Marine Park, Five Towns and more.”
Moriarty added,
“We’re just happy that we built something that people really enjoy because the peninsula doesn’t have many options for recreational fun. In Rockaway, we live for July and August because of the beach. Then, there’s not much to do in the other months.”
She also highlighted a recent milestone for their community involvement:
“We just got approved as a NYC Department of Education vendor, and now we’re hosting school trips. Just that makes us so happy to offer fun for everyone.”
Details for Visitors and Breast Cancer Awareness Resources
Rockaway Beach Pickleball & Golf is located at 97-25 Beach Channel Drive with entrance on Beach 97th Street. The facility operates daily from 7 a.m. to midnight. Visitors can book courts, schedule events, and find more information by calling (718) 474-2222 or visiting rockawaypickleball.com. For social media updates, follow @rockawaybeachpickleball on Instagram.
For more on Breastie Friends Forever, follow their Instagram page. To explore the Know Your Lemons campaign and download their app, visit knowyourlemons.org/app or follow @knowyourlemons on Instagram.
