Western & Southern Charity Intiatives

© Bob PayneLleyton Hewitt during a 2010 visit to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

The Western & Southern Open has three primary charitable beneficiaries: The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre, the Barrett Cancer Centre and Tennis for City Youth. Since 1974, the event has donated in excess of $8.5 million dollars to the three, a number that grows each year.

In addition to financial contributions, the tournament strives to increase the visibility of these partners each year via profiles in the official tournament program, special events and player visits.

Specific Charity Information

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre - The men's tournament has been played for the benefit of Cincinnati Children's since 1974. From its inception to 1987, the tournament proceeds have supported Treatment Center II. Approximately 11,000 patients were served in the dermatology, audiology, and ear, nose and throat clinics. From 1987 to the present, funds from the tournament support the Five Plus Clinic, a follow-up program for long-term survivors of childhood cancer. The clinic provides care for patients who have successfully overcome cancer and who require on-going follow-up visits with pediatric specialists. Donations to Cincinnati Children's have exceeded $7 million over the past 34 years.

Barrett Cancer Centre - UC Barrett Cancer Centre has a long-standing reputation for providing the most advanced and complete range of cancer services available in the region. It is a unique facility offering screening, diagnosis and treatment for all types of cancer at one central, convenient location. It has been ranked among the best in the US News and World Report guide to "America's Best Hospitals". It is located at University Hospital and is the cornerstone of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center.

Tennis for City Youth - The Inner City Tennis Project was established in 1986 to provide an affordable tennis experience to children in Greater Cincinnati, with an emphasis on increasing participation of inner city youth. It offers a program that seeks to provide quality instruction along with a nurturing social environment, which will assist children to achieve personal goals both in the sport of tennis and in life. Over fifty participants have received scholarships to Division I and Division II colleges throughout the United States.