Issue 46 

December 18th, 2012  
This Newsletter sponsored by The Otter Company

 

 

We design, manufacture and market comfortable, technical and ecologically sound outerwear for sports people. We maximize playtime and extend both sessions and seasons with garments that allow play earlier in the Spring, later in the Fall and on any inclement day. The Game Must Go On.

 

Comfortable at play in any climate, the Otter keeps going. Its fur is the thickest in the animal kingdom. Constructed in two layers, this brilliant design traps air to generate warmth and keep the skin dry. Our garments emulate the spirit of the Otter-their playfulness, their freedom, their willingness to continue to enjoy themselves when the weather is less than ideal. We say "go out, stay out, keep playing and stay comfortable." This is the Otter's method, and our pledge to you.

 

The Otter Company is pleased to provide Caddy For A Cure participants with its Half-Zip Storm Fleece pullovers.

 

 

Liberty Mutual Invitational A HUGE SUCCESS!

 


     

The weather was great, the golf was terrific, and your participation with us in the 2012 Liberty Mutual Invitational could not have been more appreciated. From the very bottom of our hearts, thank you!

  

While we earnestly try our best to plan a great day, each year the days somehow take a shape of their own, resulting in incredible moments that even the best laid plans couldn't create. This year was no exception as we saw another such day filled with many special and memorable moments.

 



Moments like when United States Congressman Allen West, after presenting our nation's colors and asking a blessing for all, inspired us with a patriotic and heartfelt talk about this great nation, our United States of America.

  



Or the sense of pride that was inevitably felt through John Shev's flawless rendition of our National Anthem.

  

As we listened to the playing of our national anthem, the sight of our four brave wounded warriors and the many active duty and retired military members who were present was indeed a most memorable moment. To stand face to face with many who have fought and sacrificed for the freedoms we have in this great country was truly a gift.     

  

 

 

We are most grateful to our event sponsors, beginning with Title Sponsor Liberty Mutual. This is a company that "gets it" in a big way and we salute them on behalf of the 70+ charities that they support nationwide, having raised over $4M this year alone. The contributions made by our other major sponsors Concentra, Emerick Construction, Spot On Energy, Club Managers Association of America, and Bluestone Energy made this terrific day possible. Thank you!  

  

 

On the golf course, we had a COOL time with Polar Basics and their awesome cold towels. Of course there was plenty of great food headlined by the stellar Abe and Louie's steak sandwiches, Bru's Room wings, and Salt Life oyster shooters. Sidney Frank Importing complemented the food tastings with plenty of drinks, so it all made for a great day under perfect skies.    

 

 

  

As the golfers made their way off the course, we were treated to a traditional closing ceremony by the Fort Lauderdale Drum and Pipe Corps. From there, the reason you all sacrificed your time and resources to spend the day with us became very clear as we heard some very emotional testimonies from our wounded warriors and our FA representatives. When Staff Sergeant Joseph Lowery took the MIC and with tears told us all about his experience with Caddy For A Cure, we highly doubt anyone in attendance will soon forget his passion nor his service story.

 

 

  

This was one incredible day. The best Caddy For A Cure event yet, hands down. We appreciate your sacrifice and efforts to support us, coming from as far away as Portland, Oregon and Toronto, Canada. It meant the world to us.

 

 

  

Please click HERE to view a slideshow of the day.   

 

We suggest turning up the speakers, as well as watching in full screen mode. This is a web based platform for you to share with as many people as you like.

  

Please click HERE for a copy of the program for the event. 

  

 


We look forward to next year's Liberty Mutual Invitational benefiting Caddy For A Cure. While it is a year away, we anxiously look forward to the opportunity to have you as our guest and in the meantime, we will caddy, for a cure!   

McDowell, Dufner, Donald, Gainey, on tap for 2013

We expect next year to be the greatest year ever for offering opportunities for charity and the chance to partner for a day with one of the world's greatest players.  While still so early in the year, we have an amazing line up of superstars on tap for the 2013 season.

 

Major Champions Graeme McDowell, Jim Furyk and many more will be participating with Caddy For A Cure in a quest to help many charities like the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, Birdies for the Brave,  and many more. What an incredible gift idea or customer gift that will be forever remembered as the day of a golf lifetime?  

 

 PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO OUR LIVE AUCTIONS   

 

Focus on Fanconi


Elizabeth Walker, from Scotland, is married and has Fanconi anemia. Her childhood was normal. At age 9, Elizabeth was admitted to the hospital, but was misdiagnosed and discharged saying there was nothing wrong. Continuing into her teenage years normally health-wise, Elizabeth met her husband when she was 17 and they were married in August of 1996.   


 

In March 2007, Elizabeth developed an infection that she could not get rid of, so they did a blood test.  Through that test she was told she had Fanconi anemia and that her blood counts were very low. She was quickly referred to a local hospital where she had bone marrow aspiration to confirm FA.  The results showed FA, MDS and the start of cells turning to leukemia. The diagnosis was a shock to both she and her husband!

So what's life like as an adult with FA? Her husband Graham says it's never a dull moment.  She has good days and bad days, and tries to stay positive, but living with a terminal illness is not easy. FA patients have a higher incidence of cancer. In 2011, Elizabeth was told she had dysplasia of the mouth, pre-cancerous changes.  She's had 2 surgeries to remove part of her tongue, and also had a dysplasia on her face. She wears a patch on the left cheek from which she gets cryotherapy to treat the facial dysplasia. She also has osteoporosis and has a slipped disc in her lower back which on some days can be very painful! 

 

 

 


She is still immune-suppressed and catches bugs easily.  FA does not stop her as she is stubborn and pushes for normality. They are like any other normal married couple, they just have to make some compromises. They don't have kids as after BMT she was not able to, and in England, due to the nature of FA she was not allowed to adopt.  

 

Elizabeth is  glad that she can help the parents of FA children as they rely on each other to help through the bad times.  The fight still continues...   

 

End of Year Charitable Gift Opportunity

As hard as it is for us to believe, the end of the year is quickly approaching. As you are preparing or are already celebrating the holidays and the start of a new year, we'd like to suggest you consider a tax-smart year end purchase or contribution.  As a qualified 501-c-3 nonprofit corporation, Caddy For A Cure offers you a perfect opportunity to obtain your maximum tax deduction or to fulfill any charitable programs or commitments you may have established for the year. 

If you itemize your personal tax deductions, you may reduce your taxable income and your tax bill through a year end donation. Generally, you can deduct cash contributions in full up to 50% of your adjustable gross income. 

As you are in the gift giving mode of the season, consider a donation as a gift to that someone who 'has everything' or in honor of a loved one. Alternately, Caddy For A Cure offers the opportunity to gift someone with a caddy experience for the 2013 Tour season - a perfect gift for your spouse, family member, best friend or business associate. 


Whatever your year end personal giving and charitable goals may be, we ask that you consider helping others through Caddy For A Cure. Every dollar helps as we continue to fight against Fanconi anemia, to provide needed support to our brave wounded warriors  and to generate support for the many regional needs and causes we touch through the PGA, LPGA and Champions professional golf Tours. 

 

 

Some Top Moments of 2012 for Caddy For A Cure

While each and every moment could easily be considered a "top" moment for us, there were several that stood out in our memory banks as we wind down the year. Here are five great moments for us that signify what we are all about in a plethora of ways.

Greetings!

 

As the year comes to an end, we find it hard to believe that our 10th year of existence has come and gone. We take great pride and smile often when we go to a PGA Show, or visit a golf course and someone will mention they have "heard" of Caddy For A Cure. It was not always this way for certain.

There were two men, incredibly inspirational in their never ending support of our mission, who passed away recently that we would like to recognize and will never forget.

It was decades ago when my car only had an AM radio and only one station at that, when I was forced to listen to a man from Yazoo City named Zig.  Little did I know that he would become the strongest man in my life and frankly the reason that Caddy For A Cure is here today. Zig Ziglar spent hours with me on numerous golf courses prodding me to do something meaningful and to "get round 2 it." When I saw FA for the first time, my script had been written, and we were born. Thanks Zig, for a life of excellence and I cannot wait to see you "Over the Top!"

Colleen's father, Robert Thompson, took a quieter approach to our success. His never ending prayers, support, and willingness to help however he could will never be forgotten. He loaned us money to start this project, he drove days on end to watch our house and children while we worked, and he never stopped with the encouraging letters and offers of assistance.  So many have benefited through the years due to his incessant prayers and love.

These two men are our heroes. It is through their spirit that the caddy servant heart lives within us, and we caddy, for a cure.


Wishing you a meaningful holiday,

 

Russ & Colleen Holden   

Caddy for a Cure Founder's

 

Our Treasured Sponsors - Please Click and Support!