Jean and Joan Cancer Fund to donate patient transport van to Tunnell Cancer Center
The Jean and Joan Cancer Fund announced it will be donating a patient transport van to the Tunnell Cancer Center at Beebe Healthcare in Rehoboth Beach with the proceeds from its 2016 charity golf tournament. This will be the fourth van the Jean and Joan Fund has donated to the Cancer Center out of the golf tournament proceeds.
The 17th Annual Jean and Joan Golf Classic was held Sept. 26 at Kings Creek Country Club in Rehoboth Beach. Over 100 players enjoyed a beautiful day of golf and camaraderie, and 150 attended the awards dinner. Live and silent auctions netted over $32,000 this year to support patient care at Tunnell Cancer Center. A highlight of the live auction was a Ken Griffey Jr. autographed bat.
The patient transport van, a 14-passenger bus equipped for two wheelchairs, will be used by the Tunnell Center to help patients who do not have their own transportation to receive their treatments. It is a complimentary service.
Beebe Healthcare President Jeffrey Fried was chosen by the fund as honorary tournament chair. He was presented with letters of recognition and achievement from both Sen. Tom Carper and Speaker of the House Rep Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach.
Since its founding in 1999, the annual tournament has enabled the Jean and Joan Cancer Fund to donate over $480,000 from tournament proceeds to support cancer care at the Tunnell Cancer Center. In previous years, in addition to patient transport vans, the fund donated a 3D Mammography Machine to support early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer; infusion recliners; new computer Workstations on Wheels that allow nurses to remain at a patient's bedside for patient care and charting; monies to help create a Patient Special Needs fund; funds for construction of a scenic wall in the Tunnell Healing Garden; and funds to establish a library and center for fitting cosmetic and prosthetic devices for recovering cancer patients. Future donations will support capital expansion of the Tunnell Cancer Center, enabling enhanced patient care.
Winners of the 2016 Jean and Joan Golf tournament included:
For the mixed men/women team flight:
1st place - Dean Bennett, Belinda Bennett, Troy Bennett, Shelley Coufal
2nd place - Chris Prosser, Diane Taylor, BJ Perkins
Women's flight:
First place - Barbara Hines, Nancy Froome, Judy Wetzel and Ruth Lauver
Second place - Jill Stokes, Jennifer Leonard, Claire McCracken and Wendy Schadt
Men's flight:
First place - Steve Mohr, Mike Pisciotti, Neil Kubala and Trip Wyatt
Second place - Paul Andrews, John Purple Jr., John Purple Sr. and Tyson Mayers
Golf contest winners included:
Closest to the pin, women - Winnie Sewell
Closest to pin, seniors - Scott Mohr
Closest to pin, men - Jim White
Longest drive women - Melanie Pereira
Longest drive seniors - Neal Kubala
Longest drive Men - John Purple Jr.
Putting contest - Chad Elliott
The tournament used a scramble format. Players began the day with a kickoff luncheon, and participated in a post-tournament reception and dinner, with prizes and silent and live auctions.
Kings Creek Head Golf Professional Kevin Wiest said, "We are pleased by the large turnout of foursomes who provided a fun and challenging tournament. Everyone had a good time for a great cause."
The fund was founded in 1999 in memory of local cancer victims Jean James and Joan Martin, and the charity tournament has been played at Kings Creek Country Club every year.
Fund President James Martin said, "We are pleased by a great turnout for the tournament and generous support from our many sponsors. Congratulations to our and thanks to all the volunteers who donated their time and efforts to contribute to the success of the tournament. What is unique about this Jean & Joan Cancer Fund charity event is that it is a local tournament, run by local residents, with proceeds benefitting local cancer patients here at home at the Tunnell Cancer Center."
