Lung health research
Coworkers hit the volleyball court for a cause they care about
Vancouver friends and software company coworkers Troy Opper and Scott Carpentier decided Summer 2007 was as good a time as ever to launch the first annual 'Business Objects Volleyball Charity Classic,' a co-ed volleyball tournament and fundraiser in support of the BC Lung Association.
No sooner was their idea launched that it sold out, says organizer Troy Opper. "I work with a great team of community-minded people who generally come out in full-force when given an opportunity to contribute to the community they live in."
The cause has personal resonance for the organizers. "Both Troy and I have family and close friends who have been touched by lung disease, in particular, pulmonary fibrosis," said Event Organizer Scott Carpentier. "We hope our event encourages other corporations and individuals to initiate activities which bring communities of people together to benefit a worthy cause."
More than thirty of Troy and Scott's colleagues, signed up for the weekend sports fundraiser, not to mention a long list of spnsors. Overall, the tournament raised more than $3,000 in support of pulmonary fibrosis research and the BC Lung Association.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease characterized by a progressive scarring and deterioration of the lungs, interfering with the ability to breathe. Five million people worldwide suffer from the condition.