LIFE 10th Anniversary Event Delivers Big Names, Big Dollars for Breast Cancer Fight
LIFE Event raises $500,000 for breast cancer, bringing total raised by LIFE to $5.6 million
Article Courtesy of the Val Skinner Foundation
Photos by Jamie Christian Photography
05.18.2009 - PARAMUS, NJ -- Twenty-eight LPGA pros, including World Golf Hall of Fame members Beth Daniel and Karrie Webb, top ranked players Angela Stanford, Morgan Pressel, Brittany Lincicome, Helen Alfredsson, Laura Davies and LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens, came together for the 10th anniversary LIFE (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) Event hosted by LPGA veteran Val Skinner on May 18.
The event, noted as the biggest single-day golf event fundraiser for breast cancer initiatives, raised another $500,000 for breast cancer programs. Since its inception in 2000, LIFE has raised more than $5.6 million for the breast cancer fight.
"Today is an emotional day," said Val Skinner, event founder. "While I am extremely proud of what LIFE has accomplished in the past decade, I know that we still have much work ahead in the fight to eradicate breast cancer."
Held at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J., the LIFE Event benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the LPGA's official national charity and largest private backer of breast cancer research and education, and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.
Each year, the event honors LIFE Heroes, individuals who have demonstrated courage in the face of breast cancer and purpose in the fight against the disease. Twenty-five year old breast cancer survivor Bridget Mooney and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® celebrity ambassador Gabrielle Union were recognized as the 2009 LIFE Heroes at a reception following the pro-am.
"This event gives our LPGA Professionals, event partners and beneficiaries an opportunity to come together to remember the individuals and recognize the programs that drive the LIFE mission," said Skinner.
Skinner also recognized five women of distinction who have played an integral role in the success of the LIFE Event for the last 10 years; Annette Catino, President and CEO of QualCare, Inc., 10-year sponsor; Ann Noble, President of Scibal Associates and Val Skinner Foundation treasurer; Gerri Losquadro, breast cancer survivor and Senior Vice President, Marsh; Mary Beth Childs, Lincoln Mercury Tri-State Dealer Group; and Sue Crosby, LIFE Val Skinner Foundation Advisory Board member and partner at Perella Weinberg.
Checks were presented to event beneficiaries Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ). The Val Skinner Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and CINJ formed the Young Women's Initiative, a multifaceted effort organized to educate young women and other audiences about the risk of breast cancer and the importance of early detection through various programs. Key programs funded by LIFE such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure's® nationwide interactive, mobile tour Komen on the Go, the LIFE Center at CINJ and CINJ's BioCONECT post-doctoral LIFE Fellowship, a high school biology curriculum that teaches genetics using breast cancer as its focus, support this initiative.
The reception was hosted by Court TV anchor and host of the PBS series, Inside the Law, Jack Ford.
LIFE Event partners include: The Joe Plumeri Family, EmblemHealth, Guy Carpenter, QualCare and Roche. Other notable supporters are: Assured Guaranty, Marsh, Centocor Ortho Biotech, Inc., ACE Group, GUND, Inc. and Lincoln Mercury.
Skinner founded LIFE after the loss of her friend and fellow LPGA golfer, Heather Farr, who died of breast cancer in 1993 at the age of 28. For more information about the LIFE Event or Val Skinner Foundation call 866-882-LIFE or visit www.valskinnerfoundation.org.
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