24-hour tennis fundraiser a success for Mark Blume, local pro battling cancer

When Mark Blume was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer earlier this year, he had a lot going through his mind. Blume never imagined hundreds of people would participate in a 24-hour tennis fundraiser to help him out.

“I was floored and humbled as to how many came through to support my cause,” Blume said. “We almost had 700 players participate.”

Blume—USTA Iowa executive secretary and tennis teaching professional at Genesis Health Club—received the cancer diagnosis in mid-January. The father of three has received treatment throughout the year and is now out of chemotherapy and onto immunotherapy. His energy level is getting back to normal.

“The body is responding slowly but surely,” Blume said. “I’ve luckily been able to stay on the tennis court throughout treatments, but to a lesser extent.”

The 24-hour Grip N Rip fundraiser was held in May at Genesis Health Club in Des Moines. For 24 hours straight, people took shifts playing tennis. Proceeds went to a GoFundMe page to help offset the cost of Blume’s medical bills and other unexpected needs. More than $15,000 was raised from the event, while Blume’s GoFundMe page has raised more than $48,000 as of June 25.

“We have a tremendous tennis community in the Des Moines area, but also throughout Iowa since I’ve been in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area,” Blume said. “Many people wanted to attend from afar but couldn’t. But they still donated to the GoFundMe that was also included in the support.”

Blume thanked Keith Buck, who orchestrated the GoFundMe page and managed it throughout. Blume also thanked his fellow staff members at Genesis including Ryan Roeth, who helped manage Blume’s absences during treatment and the times his body didn’t feel like being on court.

“Ultimately, I don’t plan on going anywhere and that this cancer was a hurdle that I had to jump over,” Blume said. “I’d much rather stay positive than go down any sort of rabbit hole.”

To view a report on Blume and the 24-hour tennis fundraiser from local TV news station KCCI 8 in Des Moines, click here.