Ninth Annual Golf for Joy Raises $535,000 for Children’s Cancer Association

North Plains, OR. Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club co-founder, Gay Davis hosted his ninth annual Golf for Joy fundraiser June 24th-26th at the club. This three-day event, which culminated in Davis’ golf marathon, raised $535,000 for the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA). During his golf marathon this year, Davis (who posed for a photo with CCA served kid Sol Soria-Zuniga) golfed 131 holes, nearly eight rounds, in 16 hours – all on foot. This athletic feat energized his supporters to donate to CCA’s mission. (Photo credit, Portland Photography)

Tracy Sepulveda, Accounting Manager at David H. Sutherland & Co., Inc; Mark Sepulveda, chiropractic and Golf for Joy Auction Chair; Marie Markham, teacher, Kinnaman Elementary; Judi Davis, community leader; and Clare Hamill, Vice President of Global Growth Initiatives, Nike, CCA Founding Board Chair, during the dinner event.

Nicole McDonald, Director of Finance and Operations, CCA; Danielle York, President and General Manager, CCA; Cathy Marchant, VP Brand and Marketing, CCA

Jeff Sanders, President, Golf Events, N.A., Lagardere Sports; Brent Jacobs, Owner and President at Jacobs Heating and Air Conditioning; Don Ossey, Principal Broker at Capacity Commercial Group, LLC

Heidi Bruno, mother of Holly Bruno, CCA-served child, giving keynote speech.

Donors during the special appeal.

Additional events included: A pro-am tournament with golf professionals from around the country; a dinner program and auction with guest speakers Heidi Bruno, a CCA-served mother, and Jeff Sanders, President, Golf Events, N.A., Lagardere Sports; and a kids’ clinic, where CCA-served kids learn golf tips from, and get to play with, professionals.

Davis and his wife Judi are long-time supporters of CCA, a Portland-based non-profit that delivers free-of-charge programming to 35,000 seriously ill children and their family members each year. The seed for Golf for Joy was planted nine years ago when Davis set out to combine two of his favorite passions: golf and helping kids. What started as a one-man golf marathon has grown to a three-day celebration that has raised $1.9 million for CCA.

“Nothing tugs at my heartstrings more than a child with cancer, it’s just not a fair fight,” said Davis. “CCA’s innovative programs deliver joy to kids and families through music, friendship, and nature. Their critical work supports families who need more than medicine – they need joy.”

From Children’s Cancer Association (CCA):

Since 1995, CCA has been transforming the pediatric healthcare experience through innovative, Joy-based programming, enhancing the mental health and emotional well-being of pediatric patients with the healing power of music, friendship, and nature. JoyRx programs empower kids to positively shift their emotional states during the stressful and painful experiences related to fighting life-threatening illnesses and extended hospitalizations. To date, CCA has provided JoyRx free-of-charge nearly 400,000 times with a bold goal to clinically position and deliver JoyRx as best practice in children’s hospitals across the country. See JoyRx in action at JoyRx.org or Facebook.com/ChildrensCancerAssociation.

For more information, please visit www.joyrx.org.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.