Into every life a little rain must fall, and so it did at the 10th annual Answer to Cancer Golf Tournament and Dinner to raise funds for the Cancer Center at Indian River Medical Center through the IRMC Foundation. And, while the soaking rains may have forced the cancellation of the tournament, it did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of roughly 240 guests who gathered at the Grand Harbor Golf Club to enjoy a congenial evening with caring friends.
“If you want it to rain, hold a golf tournament,” said Kelli Martin with a smile.
The golf tournament had been rained out twice before, so the pragmatic organizers took it all in stride – simply bringing the tee-box dedications indoors to add to the décor, which also featured table-top luminaria, honoring family members and friends touched by cancer.
Answer to Cancer was created 10 years ago by Grand Harbor residents and cancer survivors Carole Plante and Don Casey, who continue to co-chair the event, as a way to support those coping with the devastating disease, honor cancer survivors and remember those who lost their battle.
Thanks to the support of the Grand Harbor community, their grass-roots effort had already raised $350,000 over the past nine years, and was expected to raise at least another $50,000 through this event. Funds have gone toward everything from televisions in the waiting rooms to the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment, all in an effort to improve patient care and comfort.
“Whatever they donate to, it affects the patients’ health directly,” said radiation oncologist, Dr. Stuart Byer.
“They’ve supported technology and the waiting room in the existing cancer center; anything that’s been a priority. They put so much sweat equity into this,” said Jan Donlan, president of the IRMC Foundation. Thanking the group for its support over the years, she pointed out slides of the new Scully-Welsh Cancer Center currently under construction.
“But the important thing is the other side of Answer to Cancer,” said Casey. “For me, the heart of Answer to Cancer is in these rooms, with all these people here. The sponsors, all the names on the luminaria, the tee boxes – when you think about it, these are all love stories. One-hundred percent of this money goes to the Cancer Center; we don’t take any money out of it.”
“We didn’t like the rain, but it doesn’t seem to bother anyone. This is the greatest group of people. They come, they party; they just love it. It’s all fun; if it’s not fun I’m not doing it,” said Plante, watching as guests relished cocktails and a delicious buffet dinner. Money was also raised through a large selection of silent auction items, and the purchase of 50/50 tickets and chances on great prizes donated by Grand Harbor.
