Jacksonville’s Pink Ribbon Golf Classic (PRGC) will celebrate its 10th year as the area’s only all-women charity golf tournament with another event this fall.
Created in part by breast cancer survivors, the PRGC operates as a nonprofit under the Baptist Health Foundation umbrella and provides direct financial support for breast cancer research and local related services at Baptist Medical Center-Beaches and Mayo Clinic Florida.
In the past 10 years, PRGC, with the help of sponsors, has contributed more than $1 million to the fight against breast cancer in Northeast Florida, including a total of $240,000 in 2015. As more than 500 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in Northeast Florida, PRGC volunteers are working to support the cause with the goal of raising even more for Baptist Medical Center-Beaches and Mayo Clinic Florida in 2016.
Funding goals
This year’s contribution to Baptist Medical Center-Beaches will help purchase a SenoClaire breast tomosynthesis with 3D imaging technology. Prior contributions have helped purchase state-of-the-art equipment such as bi-directional dopplers to repair cells damaged by radiation; an x-ray pathology unit for faster, more accurate diagnoses; and a digital mammography unit. Funds have also helped hire a breast cancer care coordinator; underwrite an educational forum and establish the Support & Survivorship Program at Hill Breast Cancer Center; acquire new mammography and MRI gowns; cover the medical costs incurred by breast cancer patients who aren’t covered; and establish an endowment to provide consistent funds.
At the Mayo Clinic, meanwhile, proceeds from the Pink Ribbon Golf Classic over the past nine years have primarily supported pioneering research, with contributions to this year’s tournament continuing to support the lymphedema research of Dr. Sarah McLaughlin
“Being part of Mayo Clinic facilitates unique opportunities to interact with patients, identify a clinical question that is relevant to patient care, and act … in a timely, meaningful way,” McLaughlin said. “Through the support of benefactor funds… it allows immediate application of our work, which is very satisfying to many patients and a primary reason they seek our care.”
Funds will also support the research of the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Program, including helping to purchase a biopsy system used in conjunction with the digital breast tomosynthesis.
Opportunities are available for tournament sponsorships as well as other associated tournament events. To date, sponsors for 2016 include the McCall Family, Swisher International, Shoppes of Ponte Vedra, Benchmark Homes, Peter and Joanne Ghiloni, Parker & Pennington Dentistry, The Players Championship Red Coats, Grimes Companies and founding partner Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, which will host the tournament as it has done for the last 10 years.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please see our website, http://pinkribbonjax.org or contact us at pinkribbonjax@gmail.com.
