An inspirational comeback: Doubles tennis ace Corina Morariu was at the top of her game back in May 2001 when she was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a rare but treatable form of the blood cancer. She’d been ranked that year as the tour’s No. 1 doubles player and was fresh off impressive wins at the 2001 Australian Open and at Wimbledon in 1999.

The Detroit native underwent an aggressive course of chemotherapy and courageously rejoined the tour in 2002. She’ll be among other tennis greats and celebrity players at this year’s Celebrity Golf & Tennis Classic in September. (For details, see “Catch Seles at the Classic.”)

Given her sojourn with cancer and remission — and her personal background — Morariu’s connections to health care are immediate and deep. Her mother, brother, and father are physicians, and she’s actively campaigned for funding for blood cancer research and for legislation that makes improved therapies available to patients. In 2002, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society named her its first International Sports Ambassador. “This disease gave me a new perspective on life,” she once wrote. “I realize that the important things are your health and your family and your friends.”