Holland Hospital Partners with Big Red Classic Women’s Ta Ta Tourney to Benefit its Breast Care Fund

HOLLAND, Mich., July 27, 2023 — Fishing for a good cause, the Big Red Classic Women’s Ta Ta Tourney 2023 is set to take place on Friday, August 4, with all proceeds benefiting Holland Hospital’s Breast Care Fund.

Since the partnership between the Big Red Classic and Holland Hospital began in 2021, the day-long fishing tournament has donated $30,000 to the Breast Care Fund, which aims to ensure that all women have access to high-quality breast care services.

“The proceeds from the Ta Ta Tourney directly impact the Breast Care Fund, helping more women to get access to lifesaving care,” said Colleen Perdok, fund development coordinator at Holland Hospital. “We are grateful for the opportunity to spread awareness about the fund and let women know it’s available to them if they need it.”

Since its inception, the Holland Hospital Breast Care Fund has worked to ensure women along the lakeshore have access to breast care services by removing financial barriers that may deter them from seeking care.

“We are excited to partner with Holland Hospital again this year because we want to keep the money raised local and help our community,” said Traci Sylte, secretary at Big Red Classic. “We believe we share the same purpose; to make a difference in our community together.”

The Women’s Ta Ta Tourney and Breast Care Fund proudly join forces to make quite a difference for women across West Michigan as about one in eight women in the US will face a diagnosis of breast cancer in her lifetime. The money raised helps provide early detection services such as mammograms that detect cancer in its earliest and most treatable stage.

“One of the most difficult things is when patients who do not have the financial resources don't come to receive care,” shared Susan Ervine, MD, breast care medical director at Holland Hospital. “They may wait until they experience a clinical problem, and their breast cancer may be more difficult to treat. The Women’s Ta Ta Tourney is an important way to get the word out about the Breast Care Fund so we can help women access care when they need it.” 

Since 2015, the Breast Care Fund has given quality health care to uninsured and underinsured community members by providing 590 screening mammograms and 270 diagnostic mammograms and 445 follow-up services, including MRI, biopsy, and pathology.

“It’s easy to stereotype and categorize who you think might use the Breast Care Fund, but in reality, these are your neighbors, the people you interact with in the community,” said Steve Sorenson, associate vice president of Clinical Services at Holland Hospital.

The Women’s Ta Ta Tourney fishing tournament begins at 6:00 a.m. at Yacht Basin Marina in Holland and ends at 1:30 p.m. The afternoon includes a weigh-in and will also feature an awards ceremony. 

Formed in 2009, Big Red Classic, a subset of the Big Red Foundation, is a non-profit organization with a mission of improving the fishery in Lake Michigan while giving back to the community. “The Ta Ta Tourney is a day of fishing where we bring young ladies out to give them the experience of fishing on Lake Michigan,” Sylte shared. “We are proud to offer an experience that raises money for the Breast Care Fund.” 

Last year’s tournament raised $20,000 for Holland Hospital’s Breast Care Fund, which was one of the largest donations the fund has received since it began.

For more information about the Holland Hospital Breast Care Fund, or to donate, visit hollandhospital.org/breastcarefund. To register for the Women’s Ta Ta Tourney, visit bigredclassic.com. Registration is open through August 3 with a $100 entry fee.

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