For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer. We can all probably think of someone we know that has been affected somehow by breast cancer. One in eight U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. So far in 2011, over 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S. About 39,000 of those women will die from this disease.

Surprisingly, these death rates have been decreasing since 1990 — especially in women under 50. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness. In 2011, there are more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. and this number continues to grow with the efforts of foundations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

A well-respected custom cue maker from Englewood, Colorado is leading a quest of his own to raise money for this organization. Chris Byrne sets his sights high for a cause he believes so strongly in. “Stick it to Breast Cancer” hopes to raise over $10,000 for breast cancer by auctioning high-end custom cues from cue builders all around the country.

About seven years ago, Byrne’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and after his good friend Bob McBride’s wife passed away from the same illness he knew it was time to put his plan to action. “It makes you realize how short life is. I could’ve lost my mom. I feel very blessed that she’s still around. And then with my friend’s wife, she was only in her late 30’s,” Byrne recalls.

Byrne began spreading the word at the 2010 Super Billiards Expo, recruiting his fellow cue makers to build a unique cue for his cause. Many agreed and the response was overwhelming. This exclusive collection includes cues from such notable cue makers as Southwest, Ron Haley, Jacoby, Brent Hartman of BHQ, Eric Crisp of Sugartree Cues, Tony Zinzola, Mike Webb, Murray Tucker, and possibly Bill Schick. “There are actually quite a few more guys that wanted to donate but couldn’t, just because of the time constraints. Some of these guys are on a 10 year waiting list,” explained Byrne.

Among these original designs, Jacoby’s one of a kind cue has a pink coral and red coral ribbon inlay. The Jacoby logo is also in pink and it’s personally hand signed by David Jacoby himself. Southwest cues also engraved the ribbon logo into the joint pin. These auctions will run through the end of the year.

The first two auctions have already raised over $4,300. A new auction will run every 5-10 days for a new collectible custom cue worth anywhere from $500 to $3,500 with 100% of the proceeds going toward Susan G. Koman for the Cure®. In conjunction with the auction, a raffle will also be running through the duration of the fundraiser. Supporters will receive a raffle ticket for every $10 donated. The idea for the raffle was a last minute bonus when Byrne generously contributed an extra cue of his own. “Mine is the raffle cue and I also have one in the auction. I wanted to do something to help out the people that couldn’t afford to bid on the big cues.”

Byrne has been making cues since 1994 and builds about 25 cues a year, focusing on the higher end player cues. Check out his work at cbcues.com. More information on the Stick it to Breast Cancer fundraiser can be found at AzBilliards.com/stickit. See current and past auction listings, make a donation for a chance at the raffle cue, and learn more about breast cancer.

Breast Cancer statistics provided by the nonprofit organization, BreastCancer.org, the leading online resource for breast health and breast cancer information and support, and a dynamic peer support community. Also, learn more about Susan G. Koman for the Cure® at Komen.org, whose mission is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening, and treatment. Special thanks to Sean Thamrongpradith and Don Posri for their assistance with the “photo shoot.” 

 

Players from all over as far away as New Zealand, Philippines, Ireland and Spain along with the usual great players making up the best tour in the country. Right from the beginning Saturday till the finals on Sunday, great matches, hill hill, strong comebacks and just good pool. Mike Zuglan and Robb Saez battling hill hill with Zugan getting the win this time. Frankie Hernandez having Karen Corr 8-3 when Karen got Frankie on 3 fouls and played her heart out to get to 8-7 before Hernandez got the chance to get out and did. All day was like this and surviving undefeated for Sundays action was Carlos Vieira, Joe Tucker, Ryan McCreesh, Al Lapena, Frank Hernandez, George Texiera, Edgar Acaba and Mike Zuglan. On the one loss side we had cashing for his first time on the Joss Tour was David Gold vs Mike Davis, Cisco Diaz vs Rich Ross, Nelson Oliviera vs Chris Biddle and Ted Garrihan vs Robb Saez.

 

On Sunday it took Edgar Acaba to stop Mike Zuglan for the first time in his last 11 matches from last week end to now. Acaba played great for the two days and was not going to be denied as he sat in the hot seat. Playing through the one loss side Zuglan was again in dead stroke. With over $6900 in the prize fund and two of the nicest trophies this writer has ever seen at a tournament, he beat everyone else to meet up with Acaba for revenge. But the Filipino was not going to be denied and beat Zuglan 9-5. This was Edgar's first Joss win and I am sure not his last.

 

This was a great tournament and we can't say enough to Steve Mahoney, his wife Kat and their staff. We look forward to next year when the Joss tour will join Billy Zhuta in memorializing his son and adding a lot more money. Our thanks to Mike Webb, Webb Custom Cues for being there and setting up along with being a sponsor, Capone Cues, Giuseppe case, Simonis cloth and Joss Cues Ltd.