Everyone reading this column knows a loved one or a dear friend that has been affected by the dreaded disease, cancer.
Today, there is hope that someday sooner rather than later a cure will be found to alleviate this dreaded word from the dictionary. Dr. Richard Dixon, who was an oncology physician at Centre Medical and Surgical Associates for over 30 years has stated that 1.4 million people will get cancer in 2009, 75,000 will be from Pennsylvania, and 1,000 will be treated at Mount Nittany Medical Center. With those numbers facing each and every one of us, it is that hope, desire and the need that one day soon a cure will be found. However, until that glorious day arrives, the fight goes on and the commitment from committees of the Coaches vs. Cancer Celebrity Golf Classic and the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund, that came out of the success of the CVC. Last year’s CVC event raised nearly $180,000 to surpass the $1 million mark in just 12 years. “We are thrilled and amazed of how much our success has grown in such a short amount of time,” said tournament director Steve Greer. “To think that in a 12-year frame we’ve been able to raised over $1 million is just so unreal. We never expected to reach the $1 million mark so quickly.” Non-golfers have also supported CVC over the years, and in the Spring of 2005 the Coaches vs. Cancer Benefactors program was established. The Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund allocated over $65,000 to patients in need in and around Centre County. BPCAF was created when Bob Perks, an original member of the CVC committee, died of cancer on Labor Day 2005. The BPCAF will host its fourth annual Tailgate Party on Saturday, Oct. 24, at The University Club, 331 W. College Ave., during the Penn State at Michigan football game. The event features great food, a silent auction, and the Penn State football game on big screen televisions and starts one hour prior to kickoff.
“Each year, thousands of central Pennsylvanians are faced with the extraordinary emotional and financial difficulties associated with a cancer diagnosis,” said Doreen Perks. “The Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund was established to provide financial support for basic necessities to individuals and families dealing with cancer. Bob was devoted to helping cancer patients long before facing his own challenges with the disease. He was a founding member of Coaches vs. Cancer locally and remained active with the organization until his own battle with cancer prevented him from doing so.”