DCH Foundation Golf Classic a Huge Success
10/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
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Alabama Gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson spent a lot of time on the golf links this week, and it was time well spent as the 2005 Tuscaloosa Toyota/DCH Foundation Golf Classic and the Tuscaloosa Toyota/WVUA7 Chopper Drop were both deemed a tremendous success.
The Golf Classic and Chopper Drop were fund raisers for the DCH Breast Cancer Fund, which was initiated by Patterson and the DCH Foundation last year to help provide the means for early detection and treatment of breast cancer for women in the West Alabama community. All proceeds from this event goes to the DCH Breast Cancer Fund.
“I am so excited about how many people have stepped up to help support the DCH Breast Cancer Fund,” Patterson said. “Since we started it last year in conjunction with our ‘Target the Cure’ meet last February, no one I’ve talked to about supporting the Fund has said no. It’s been extremely gratifying.”
“Target the Cure” and the DCH Breast Cancer Fund was developed by Patterson and brought to fruition in conjunction with the DCH Foundation during the fall of 2004. The first “Target the Cure” gymnastics meet was against Auburn on Feb. 4. More than 13,000 fans came wearing pink and supporting the initiative that night.
Since that first meet, Patterson has been named to the DCH Foundation Board and continues to work tirelessly to help the fund become a force in the West Alabama Community.
In addition to lending her time and effort to “Driving for the Cure” and the DCH Foundation Golf Classic, Patterson put the call out to a pair of former Alabama quarterbacks, Steadman Shealy and David Smith who are married to former Crimson Tide gymnasts. Shealy is married to the former Ann Woods, who was on Sarah Patterson’s first team, while Smith is married to the former Ali Blumberg, who was a member of the 1991 NCAA Championship team.
Both men played in today’s tournament, which featured 48 teams and is expected to raise in excess of $75,000 for the fund.
The fund’s purpose is to provide the means for early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Patients who meet the eligibility requirements as disadvantaged will be provided assistance to pay for early detection; and if detection is made then assistance in the subsequent treatment of the disease at the DCH Regional Medical Center, or Northport Medical Center. Eligibility criteria will be prepared and provided upon request.
