The Wrangell Medical Center is holding its annual golf tournament August 11 and 12 to support its cancer care travel fund. The Rally for Cancer Care tournament draws many people, and some 77 patients from around Southeast Alaska have been helped by the fund.
The hospital's charitable foundation is planning a big weekend August 11 and 12 for its annual golf tournament, hoping to boost its cancer care travel fund.
The Wrangell Medical Center Foundation was established in 2007 with three goals in mind, among them supporting equipment needs at the hospital and providing health career scholarships to prospective students. It also has over the past decade distributed $97,000 in grants to individuals undergoing treatment for various iterations of cancer, of which new cases are diagnosed for 439.2 per 100,000 Americans each year, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Seventy-seven patients from around Southeast have been helped by the $1,000 annual grants, some more than once. The funds do not go toward treatment itself, but help to defray associated costs like lodging and travel.
To help support this grant, the Foundation has each year held its Rally for Cancer Care golf tournament, drawing in women and men for a weekend of competitions. In past years, support from both the Wrangell and Petersburg communities has garnered as much as $13,000 in a tournament for the travel fund, with scores of participants.
Foundation president Patty Gilbert estimated Petersburgers typically make up a share of around 40 players, coming across by charter to make the match.
"It really is a partnership between the two communities," said Cathy Gross, WMC's health information manager.
Donations come from a variety of individuals and organizations, and a number of businesses, clubs and agencies in and around Wrangell help sponsor the weekend by providing door prizes, beverages, lunch materials and decorations.
"This year we're going to make a challenge. We're going to challenge the Wrangell ladies to out-populate the Petersburg ladies at our rally," said Gilbert.
The women's tournament on August 11 will be geared more toward fun and frolic than straight competition. For example, one hole will require players to tee off with one foot in a bucket, while another would have them use a driver for every stroke. Some strategically-placed tents offering distinctly summery libations likewise add to the atmosphere, and the tournament will be followed up by a barbecue luncheon back at the clubhouse.
"It's just different, fun things to do on a golf course," explained Jane Bliss, WMC's director of supply services and one of the weekend's organizers.
It's not all for fun, though, with a new putter among the stakes in a putting contest at the ninth hole. Likewise, a cash prize will go to the golfer whose drive lands closest to the pin on the fourth. The stiffest competition of all may revolve around the tournament's silent auction, featuring an array of prints, quilts and other handmade items from Wrangell and Petersburg. Items up for bid will be set out ahead of the tournament at WMC starting Monday; prospective patrons are invited to check them out and submit bids through the coming week.
The overarching focus of the event remains on the fight against cancer, with a recognition of the disease's survivors planned ahead of lunch. An ongoing project maintained by the Foundation has been its memorial quilt, to which the names of recent patients and affected loved ones will be added. It is kept on display at the hospital.
There will also be an opportunity for the guys to show their support, with a men's tournament scheduled to start Sunday morning. Participation in either costs $35 for lunch and the game, with all proceeds benefiting the travel fund. Tee time next Saturday is set for 10 a.m. at Muskeg Meadows Golf Course. Those wishing to register a team in advance can call Aaron Angerman at the hospital at 874-7196.
Those interested in seeking assistance from the travel fund for themselves or a loved one are invited to visit the Foundation's website for more information, or to seek out a pamphlet from the hospital lobby.
"We encourage everyone who has to go out for treatment to apply for funds," said Olinda White, on the Foundation board. "Even if they feel they don't need funds. Because a lot of people will say, 'I can afford it, it's not that big a deal.' But it's out there for everyone."
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