Nicoya – The 7th annual Musmanni Celebrity Tournament (Torneo de Personalidades Musmanni) will be held on May 12th, starting at 8 a.m. at the Nicoya's sports center (Polideportivo de Nicoya) tennis courts. Like every other year, the competition is symbolic since the goal is to donate the proceeds to the Association Against Children's Cancer (Asociación Lucha Contra el Cáncer Infantil) of the National Children's Hospital (HNN).

Coach Jorge Arias Hidalgo is the tournament's director. "People can enjoy this event as a family outing, helping out at the same time," Arias pointed out.

The Association Against Children's Cancer attempts to fill the existing gaps in the services provided by the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). Therefore, it provides much needed support to improve living conditions for young cancer patients. This condition, for which there is no prevention, has a much better chance of survival if detected at an early stage. However, this requires many resources.

While this group of athletes has organized this event to fight against childhood cancer, on April 22nd the national newspaper La Nación revealed that although cancer strikes about 10,000 Costa Ricans per year, killing one third of them, CCSS keeps much of the funds in reserve from the no longer existing Costa Rican Institute Against Cancer (Instituto Costarricense Contra el Cáncer - ICCC). According to La Nación, between 2009 and 2010, the Caja received ¢33,627,000 million colones (more than $67,000) as a result of the ICCC closing. However, on December 31st, 2011 the CCSS had executed only ¢3.279 million colones (about $6558), which corresponds to 9.7% of the funds.

Meanwhile Víctor Arce, owner and manager of Nicoya's Musmanni, expressed how "impressed he is with the great work done by the Association Against Children's Cancer." That is why he never hesitated to sponsor this activity. "Besides, this way we get to promote tennis in Nicoya, where we have three tennis courts in perfect condition."

Even if you are not a tennis player, reach into your heart and come to show your support and help save children's lives.