A swing of a driver, a tap with the putter and the sweet rattling sound of a golf ball dropping into the hole – all makings for a great day.
The 16th annual Golf for Research presented by Solarus on Aug. 19, at Lake Arrowhead Golf Course in Nekoosa featured 140 golfers who helped raise $60,835 for adult and pediatric cancer research at Marshfield Clinic.
Research is critical to saving lives in communities in the Clinic's service area. Golf for Research has made a big impact by providing more than $845,835 in funding since the event's inception for cancer research at Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation.
Funds raised have especially helped children. Brandon Ballschmieder was 15 when he was diagnosed in 2010 with a rare form of leukemia. The long-term prospects weren't good. A bone marrow transplant wasn't an option because a match couldn't be found.
He underwent a clinical trial that lasted more than two years with Dr. Michael McManus, a Clinic pediatric oncologist/hematologist. With the help of aggressive chemotherapy, Ballschmieder celebrated his 18th birthday in 2013, having completed his treatment.
"Research provided an option for a study for Brandon that wasn't available before," said Kathy Ballschmeider, Brandon's mother and featured speaker at the event. "Without research, I don't believe he would be standing here with us today."
Golf for Research featured two golfers per team who shot six holes each of scramble, best ball and alternate shot.
"We lucked out with the weather and everyone was able to enjoy a sunny afternoon supporting a cause that touches every one of us," said Tiffany Halan, special events coordinator at the Clinic.
The Marshfield Clinic system provides patient care, research and education in more than 50 locations in northern, central and western Wisconsin, making it one of the largest comprehensive medical systems in the United States.
