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Issue: # 21
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February 13th, 2009
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WE PROUDLY ACKNOWLEDGE OUR PARTNERS
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100% of Charity Auction Sales
goes to:
20%
Fanconi Anemia Research Fund
20%
Wouned Warrior Project
20%
PGA TOUR Caddie Benevolent Fund
20%
PGA TOUR Player Charity
20%
PGA TOUR Host Site Charity
(click to go to main site)
National Spokesperson
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Fanconi Anemia Patient
Christian Collins
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Friends
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AMERICAN HERO MEETS
RYDER CUP HERO AT FBR OPEN
The FBR Open in Scottsdale was the recent scene of a most inspirational moment in the history of Caddy For A Cure. We were given the distinct honor of being able to provide Michael Proscia, a Wounded Warrior, the chance to escort and caddy for PGA TOUR Superstar and Ryder Cup Hero Ben Curtis.
Michael and his "real" caddy for the day, the lovely Joanne Fried, enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime with the friendly and world class player from Ohio, Ben Curtis.
Joanne became our second female caddy to carry the bag for a PGA TOUR player and she could not have done better. She kept pace the entire day, joking and laughing with the personable Ben, enjoying a day that dreams are made of. Joanne's quick wit kept Ben at ease all day as seen above clowning with Ben to the delight of all.
They say in Scottsdale that "they went to a party and a golf tournament broke out." The new 16th hole was as raucus as ever, now completely surrounded with grandstands 100% around the hole. Here Joanne and Michael get a quick snapshot with Ben to the delight of screaming fans....
Joanne Fried represented a new type of caddy for Caddy For A Cure - the corporate client that sees the value of the experience, the multitude of charities that we assist and that wants to help. She represented U-Haul in terrific fashion and enjoyed the day immensely. If you have moving or storage needs, PLEASE use U-Haul, they "get it" and are extremely community minded in their service.
Blown up nine times in less than a 45 day period in Iraq, the highlight of the day had to be Michael Proscia. Using the support of a cane and wearing a boot-like walking shoe following his most recent of multiple ankle surgeries, Michael walked every step of the way with Ben and Joanne. He epitomizes a man who loves his country, heard a call, and represented his nation. Although his body has suffered much, his love of golf has not changed and Michael was able to have the thrill of his golf life on the PGA TOUR for a day.
We started offering these caddy experiences to the Wounded Warrior Project veterans last year as a small way of saying thanks for their service and our freedom. Who would have ever known how inspirational it would be to us and to the many on the PGA TOUR who have met men like Andy Butterworth, Bryan Belcher, and Michael Proscia?
To watch Michael stand on that 18th tee at the FBR Open telling Joanne to stand aside as he wanted to officially caddy one hole was beyond words. With a cane to keep his balance, his foot and ankle wrapped and bandaged, his love for golf overtook his pain for at least a few minutes. No longer were thoughts of pain, thoughts of explosions, thoughts of fear. Michael was there to enjoy the golf. To enjoy watching the very best in the world. He was there to take part in something that very few will ever have the chance to do.
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FOCUS ON FANCONI
As we begin a new year, it is only fitting that we focus this month on the impetus that started the entire Caddy For A Cure program, Christian Collins. Now our National Spokesperson, Christian is 15 years old and doing well with his health, living with his family in Macon, Georgia.
It was that fateful day back in 1993 following Christian's birth when Caddy For A Cure first met Fanconi Anemia, an inherited bone marrow disorder. We knew at that first instant that this was a disease that was not only devastating to the patient and the families that it touched, but that it also needed to be stopped. We didn't know how or where or when, we just knew we wanted to help.
The infectious smile seen above in the absolute worst of times is utterly amazing. Here is a young boy in the midst of going through a bone marrow transplant, painful and indeed serious, and he still has the unflappable spirit to smile for a picture. Caddy For A Cure has yet to meet anyone with so many odds against them, yet as happy and non-stoppable as this remarkable young man. Today, at 37 inches tall, Christian surpasses height standards with his incredibly warm heart, his quick smile and positive attitude. It has been our pleasure to have him come out on the PGA TOUR and befriend a number of players with his humor, warmth and charisma. To meet him and not have the experience change your life is virtually impossible.Families around the world afflicted with Fanconi Anemia can thank Christian for bringing to light a terrible disease and for making great strides in cancer research around the world as a result of his wonderful presence.
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CADDY FOR A CURE ANNOUNCES FIRST CELEBRITY OPPORTUNITY
WITH GEORGE LOPEZ AT THE CROWNE PLAZA INVITATIONAL
Caddy For A Cure is expanding its program in the great game of golf, utilizing the old art of caddying and the super cool opportunity to work with a celebrity for an entire round of golf.
George Lopez recently found out about Caddy For A Cure and gave us an immediate 'yes!' Some lucky fan will have the opportunity to carry George's bag during the Crowne Plaza Invitational Pro-Am round in Fort Worth in May. Lopez will join PGA TOUR players Tim Herron and Stewart Cink at Colonial for a once in a lifetime experience "inside the ropes." The Colonial opportunities will follow what we expect to be a Texas grand slam the previous week with caddy opportunities for Texans Chad Campbell and Justin Leonard at the HP Byron Nelson in Irving, TX.
 Who is going to be the lucky caddy in Fort Worth with one of the funniest men alive today? Who can be at the center of attention and get their head polished???
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Based on history, we like to jokingly say that if you are having a drought, we can fix it for you, no problem. All you have to do is have a Caddy For A Cure golf tournament and all the rain you need will come - unfortunately!
We had a great response to the recent PGA Show Golf Tournament but unfortunately, mother-nature had another idea. After playing a few holes in a downpour, we eventually gave in when the rain made St. Andrews look like a tropical paradise.
What impressed me most about the day was the heart of the PGA Golf Professional. Scott Yates, Head Professional at West Orange, could not have nicer and more accommodating to Caddy For A Cure from start to finish. He offered the golf course, offered all the help, offered food and beverage, and did everything he could to make this a reality. He cares deeply about others and indeed his fellow professionals.
When we were rained out we decided to raffle off some of the exceptional prizes that had been donated from JetBlue Challenge and Peak Vision and were actually short a few. Scott instantly fixed that with rounds of golf for FOUR people at NO CHARGE! Every person that left West Orange that rainy day walked away with well over the value they had donated to Caddy For A Cure.
As I stood before the group and closed the day by telling them the story of Caddy For A Cure, I could not help but think of our dear friend and mentor Zig Ziglar as he has talked about his early days as a pot salesman. He traveled far and wide and told the story to anyone that would listen, never once thinking about giving up. He would drive all night to tell just a few people about his story that led him to being one of the most prolific and successful men in the history of business.
Our story is indeed about helping people like Christian Collins and Michael Proscia. Their issues know of no "bear" or "bull" market. They wake up each and every day dealing with their physical issues, whether the world and economy is doing great, or struggling.
The PGA of America cares deeply not only about the game of golf, but about people. They have so many charities that they support through this wonderful game and are filled with men and women just like Scott Yates. A simple golf professional at a simple golf club in Orlando. Yet, both are heroes in the eyes of so many less fortunate.
Sincerely,
Russ Holden PGA
Caddy For A Cure Founder
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