Tennis fundraiser held for Fresno mom in coma

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno's tennis community is showing its support for a fellow player and his family as they continue to face a difficult ordeal.

More than 200 people packed the courts at the Fig Garden Swim and Racquet Club on Saturday. They were playing in the Melissa Carleton Doubles Challenge. It's a fundraiser for Melissa, who had a seizure back in March while she was pregnant and awaiting surgery to remove a large brain tumor. That seizure left her in a coma, but she was still able to give birth to a healthy baby boy via C-section last month.

Melissa's father, John Farrell, played in Saturday's tournament.

"We all love John, we play against John, and we felt this was a great opportunity to really come together as a tennis community and put something positive together for John's sake and Melissa's sake," said Peter Nunez with the Melissa Carleton Doubles Challenge committee.

"It's nice to have such good friends who are willing to help us, who appreciate us, and who of course appreciate Melissa as well," said Farrell.

The event raised at least $4,500 in tournament fees, but many people also made additional donations, according to Melissa's father. If you'd like to help, visit www.gofundme.com/team-melissa.