They’re young, brave and hopeful, battling the cancers that still claim too many of their lives and leave too many with permanent neurological and other effects. They’re the children in our neighborhoods waiting for a cure.
Teeing up for a cure are former Eagle, Vince Papale, and a host of other sports personalities who invite golfers to join them, May 4, for the 25th Eagles Fly for Leukemia Celebrity Golf Classic and Auction at Huntingdon Valley Country Club, Pa.
The tournament will begin with registration and lunch at 11 a.m., then a shotgun start at noon. Cocktails are scheduled for 5 p.m. with the awards dinner and auction following. An all-inclusive ticket for the tournament, lunch, cocktails and dinner is $500/individual, $2,000/foursome. Dinner only is $150.
Last year’s golf tournament raised more than $50,000, with 100% of the proceeds staying in the Philadelphia region. Eagles Fly for Leukemia supports pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. Additionally, the organization works with social workers at these hospitals and at local Ronald McDonald houses to identify and financially assist families in need while their children are undergoing treatment.
Leukemia is the most common cancer in kids, accounting for 23% of all cancer diagnoses among those younger than 15 years old. So far, in 35 years Eagles Fly for Leukemia has raised $10 million for research and family support programs. That helped build the first Ronald McDonald house and has helped dramatically boost the cure rate for childhood leukemia from 10% in 1973, when the charity started. Today, about 85% of children with leukemia and more than 60% of all children with cancer survive five years or longer.
But according to data from the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research, the cure rate for childhood leukemia has stalled since 2004. Not much progress has been made, because new approaches and new drugs are needed.
Eagles Fly for Leukemia is tackling that issue with the Celebrity Golf Classic and Auction. For more information, go to http://www.eaglesfly.org/ or contact the office at [email protected], 800-283-CURE or 610-622-0600.
