Sunday, May 31, 2009

The big 'C'


My Mom died 6 years ago from cancer. Three weeks after my son was born. Thinking those combined events were the most stressful of my life, I was caught off-guard when less than a year after my son was born, a routine skin exam caught melanoma on my back. Fortunately, after an additional test, it had not spread, and the chance for recurrence is very low.
Cancer does not care who you are. It is only your due diligence that gives you an edge over this disease.
Fortunately, there are organizations throughout the world that provide reassurance and hope to those who have been affected. Golf ,again, has been called upon to become a platform to bring cancer organizations into the limelight.
Golf has always been a huge player of charitable foundations throughout the country. Each PGA and LPGA tour-stop provides local charities of vast causes the opportunity to raise awareness and money. Whether it be the Tours "Together, Anything's Possible" platform, or grassroots efforts like Golf Fights Cancer, there are many opportunities to get involved, or at a minimum to learn who is out there fighting in your corner if the big 'C', or the big 'anything-that's-not-supposed-to-happen-to-me' comes your family's way.
From Amy Mickelson, to Paul Azinger...to a hack like me, or to anyone for whom this disease has been in contact with, we are very relieved that there are volunteers, researchers, and donors, that care....
...Golf, in all its forms, has the biggest heart of all.
Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,
JFB

1 comment:

Adolfo Pena said...

Very inspiring story. Cancer has never touched me in any sense, but so many of my friends' relatives has come to grips with it. It's great what golf or any sort can do for the community!

Adolfo
http://golfswingtrainingaids4u.blogspot.com/