FOR A GOOD CAUSE:What no family should go through

Dennis Claus and Kim Beaudette share more than their position as co-chairs of the Queen of Hearts Charity Tennis Tournament. The event organizers grew up together in Tustin and a mutual tragedy reacquainted them in 2003.

Claus and Beaudette, a Newport Beach resident, both lost their mothers to ovarian cancer, and both used their personal misfortune to benefit others.

Now in its fifth year, the tournament aims to raise money for research and spread awareness of ovarian cancer, which will claim more than 22,000 American lives this year, Claus said.

“I always felt if I could save somebody from having to go through what I went through, I would,” he said. “Ovarian cancer is such a devastating disease and the whole family is affected by it.”

Beaudette and her two sisters, Lori Hunter and Cathy Grienke, share Claus’ sentiment, which is why they established the Queen of Hearts Foundation in their mother’s memory in 2000.

“My sisters and I felt like there is no family that should have to go through this,” she said.

In 2003, the first year of the tournament, the foundation partnered with UC Irvine’s Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, donating all event proceeds to research on early detection. Over the years, the group has raised more than $800,000.

“There is no early detection mechanism at the moment,” Beaudette said. “That is why it is so important that we educate the public on the signs and symptoms, which include abnormal bleeding, pressure in the abdomen and bladder problems.”

In an effort to expand the event’s educational outreach, organizers added workshops with medical professionals to the bill this year.

A dermatologist will visit the tournament Saturday to offer skin care tips and free screenings, and several doctors offered advice and answered questions at last weekend’s clinics.

“So many women have no clue about the symptoms,” Claus said, adding early detection is the difference between life and death for many women.

Several years ago, after reading some literature at the tournament, a patron realized she was exhibiting symptoms and sought medical advice. She was diagnosed with Stage II ovarian cancer days later, Claus said.

“If we never raise another dollar with this event, we’ve already done something unbelievable — we saved someone’s life,” he said.

The public is invited to enjoy competitive tennis throughout the weekend at the Newport Beach Tennis Club, as well as the annual Tux and Tennies Party Saturday evening.

Partygoers dress in combinations of formal wear and tennis gear while enjoying dinner, casino games and live entertainment from the Wayne Bryan Band.

Bryan is an honorary chairman of this year’s event and also the father of the top-seated doubles duo Bob and Mike Bryan.

“It’s a terrific party,” Claus said.