The Deercreek Women’s Alliance presented a $1500 check to The RITA Foundation for their continuing research efforts to suppress breast cancer.
If you are new to the Deercreek community or the City of Jacksonville, you may not have heard about The RITA Foundation. In 1997 our very own very own residents Chuck and Nancy Jantz founded the foundation with a tennis tournament and a silent auction at the Deercreek Country Club and it has morphed into the organization quietly raising funds through tennis tournaments, runs and effectively growing endowments dedicated to breast cancer as well as growing companion programs that assist those impacted by cancer.
RITA is an acronym for Research is the Answer, a local Foundation based in Jacksonville, no overhead, strictly all volunteer based, and all the monies raised stay in Jacksonville.
Through 12.31.24, The RITA Foundation has directly contributed $7,385,791 since our first event in 1997 at Deercreek Country Club. This does not include the proceeds from our 50 endowments……47 at Baptist and 3 at Mayo Clinic……approximately $2,000,000.00 producing 4.5 to 5% in annual proceeds…. another $ 90-100,000.00 annually forever.
- We are currently funding research at Dr. Al Copland’s lab at Mayo Clinic with $65,000 in grants plus the proceeds from the 3 RITA endowments.
- At Baptist, current funding includes $200,000 toward the new Beaches MRI and new prostate support program. Long term is the goal of our endowment program.
- At Baptist MD Anderson we have endowments funding the Life Wellness Center and the Cool Cap program in the Infusion Center.
- At Baptist Beaches, our endowments fund the new MRI, a prostate support group plus Mammograms. At Baptist South, our endowments provide Mammograms to the underserved population.
- At Baptist Clay, more endowments provide ongoing funding of Mammograms to those who cannot afford this diagnostic treatment.
The RITA Foundation anticipates directly adding $350,000 for our 2025 events plus an additional $85 to $100,000 from our endowments. That will bring approximately a total $7,800,000 by year’s end. For 2026, The RITA Foundation will surpass $8,000,000.00………and again all without any salary or overhead costs……and all staying in Jacksonville.
The Deercreek Women’s Alliance has supported this charity since their inception, and we hope you continue to support the foundation through donations or participation in their events.
To know more about The RITA Foundation or donate go to www.the-rita-foundation.org or click on the link.