Golf Fore the Kids to Benefit Pediatric Cancer

12,500 children diagnosed with cancer each year

(Hartford, CT- May 2004)--- In a time where prayer and tears were a frequent occurrence and hope was all they had, two fathers combined their energy, and turned their sorrow into optimism to help the fight against pediatric cancer.

Alan Osit and Steve Vera’s sons had more to worry about than Pokemon and tee-ball. Battling cancer, six-year-old Jacob Osit and five-year-old Nicholas Vera continue to be the inspiration for their fathers’ philanthropic efforts. In June 2004, Osit, a South Windsor resident, and Vera, a Vernon resident, will hold the second Golf Fore the Kids tournament to raise money for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and the Jimmy Fund.

As he sat waiting for his son’s stem-cell treatment to end in Boston Children’s Hospital, Osit and other parents discussed the many generous donations that helped to make the hospital as kid-friendly as possible. Osit admired others’ efforts, and wanted to give back as well. He decided to start Golf Fore the Kids soon after, for his son, and for the 12,500 children diagnosed with cancer each year.

After reading about the event in the paper, and having gone through similar experiences with his son, Vera joined the team. Jacob Osit and Nicholas Vera’s undeniable bravery and infectious smiles continue to drive their fathers to keep working to find a cure for other children like them. With the help of 145 sponsors and over 200 guests, last year’s tournament raised nearly $25,000. The fathers’ goal is to raise $35,000 this year, to help other families and children fighting cancer.

“Our children benefit all year long from the Golf Fore the Kids tournament thanks to the enthusiasm and commitment of Alan Osit and Steve Vera, who represent hundreds of parents of children with cancer,” said Larry Gold, president and CEO of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

This year’s tournament will take place on Thursday, June 24, at Blackledge Country Club in Hebron, Conn. Joe D’Ambrosio, the voice of UConn football and basketball will be the guest emcee, and the goal is to register 288 golfers, doubling the attendees from last year’s event.

“Golf Fore the Kids is so important to the community, not just because of the money it raises,” said D’Ambrosio. “Both Steve and Al set an example that is clearly admirable and I'm proud to help them in this effort.”

Today there is a disparity in federal funding for pediatric cancer; most federal money goes to adult research. However, the impact is astounding among children, according to a national initiative of children’s cancer centers that measure the number of years saved with a child cancer patient—more than 400,000 years are saved each year. In addition, 75% of children with cancer can now be cured, thanks to the progress in research, according to the National Childhood Cancer Foundation. Despite these facts, the National Cancer Institute states that in 2001 cancer was the leading cause of death among children under 15.

"The survival rate for pediatric cancer has grown dramatically in the past 10 years, and it could not have been accomplished without donations from programs like ours,” said Osit. “It does not matter how big or how small a donation is, it matters that you are helping children like my son and Nicholas to get better and lead the life they were meant to."

For the 2004 tournament, golfers will be asked to donate $135, which includes 18 holes with cart, door prizes, lunch and a buffet dinner. Non-golfers are invited to attend the dinner for $40 a person. Sponsorship levels vary from $100 to $3,000. Sponsor levels include golf and hole sponsor, event sponsor, hole-in-one and golf-cart sponsor, and a presenting sponsor.

For more information, visit www.golfforethekids.com, or contact Alan Osit at alan@golfforethekids.com, or Steve Vera at steve@golfforethekids.com.

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