Philipsburg, Pa., July 2, 2018 — The 4th Annual “Tee Off for T-Cells” Golf Tournament benefitting the Emily Whitehead Foundation will take place Friday, July 13, 2018 at Philipsburg Elks Lodge & Country Club. This annual fundraiser is an opportunity for Philipsburg and surrounding communities to unite in support of raising money to further pediatric cancer immunotherapy research.
The event, sponsored by CNB Bank, has raised over $150,000 in the last three years. NFL long snapper and former Philipsburg-Osceola Mountie Jon Condo will return to host the tournament in its fourth year.
“This year we have had more interest than any time in the past,” says Emily Whitehead Foundation co-founder Tom Whitehead. “Jon and everyone continue to do their best to make it better each year.”
In the last three years, the tournament has evolved to accommodate more golfers and bring in more unique items to the event’s silent and live auctions.
“We expect this year's silent and live auctions to be the best yet,” says Condo. Attendees can look forward to the opportunity to bid on a variety of autographed sports memorabilia, concert and event tickets, vacation packages, and more.
In a change from years prior, the event’s silent auction and evening social hour will each be open to the public and free to attend. During social hour, attendees can look forward to the opportunity to participate in the live auction, listen to an inspiring patient story, and interact with special guests.
Past special guests to this tournament have included NFL athletes Matt McGloin, Nathan Stupar, and Austin Johnson, and University of Maryland head wrestling coach Kerry McCoy. McGloin and McCoy are expected to return to this year’s tournament, along with former Penn State wrestler and 3x NCAA qualifier Brad Pataky.
“I enjoy seeing all of the participants coming together and having a great time,” says Condo. “It's a special feeling knowing that everyone understands the purpose of the event and unselfishly gives their time and money for a great cause.”
The funds raised at the event will support the Emily Whitehead Foundation’s mission to raise awareness and research for pediatric cancer immunotherapies, such as the CAR-T cell therapy that saved six-years cancer-free Emily Whitehead’s life. In the past year alone, EWF has contributed $500,000 to such research, supporting immunotherapy programs and researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and through research grants in collaboration with Stand Up to Cancer.
“Our goal is to continue funding new, less toxic cancer treatments, which are still having unprecedented success,” says Whitehead. “We want all families to have the success that we did when standard cancer treatments don’t work.”
While raising money for cancer research may be the goal, the Whitehead family and Condo most look forward to sharing this event with the Philipsburg community.
“Each year the event keeps growing and we are so proud to continue holding it in our home town where we have so much support for EWF,” says Whitehead. “We love traveling the world but Philipsburg will always be home!”
More information about the 4th Annual “Tee Off for T-Cells” Golf Tournament can be found at www.emilywhiteheadfoundation.org/golf.
About the Emily Whitehead Foundation:
The Emily Whitehead Foundation is a non-profit that raises awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. The Foundation aims to provide funding to researchers to develop innovative and less toxic treatments, such as immunotherapy, for pediatric cancer patients. Emily Whitehead is a three-time cancer survivor who is alive today because of T-cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy. Emily was the first child in the world to receive T-cell therapy. The Foundation shares Emily’s story to inspire others to take action in the fight against pediatric cancer. We believe in a cure!
For more information on the Emily Whitehead Foundation:
www.emilywhiteheadfoundation.org
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