Forty-eight women gathered at the Marsh Landing Country Club on Tuesday, Oct. 7, for a day of fun competition, prizes and a tasty lunch — but also to help save lives.
The 6th Annual Pink Ribbon Charity 9-Hole Golf Scramble generated thousands of dollars so that area women and men without the necessary financial resources can still get a mammogram or other procedure critical to early breast cancer detection.
As in the past, 100% of the proceeds from the tournament and raffle go to Pink Ribbon Jax, a local, all-volunteer nonprofit organization that funds these critical services.
“We are grateful for every dollar, and we would use it wisely,” said Marica Pendjer, Pink Ribbon Jax chair. “Because we are all volunteers and also donors, we do care about how that money is used.”
She called it heart-warming to see that others care about the issue as much as she, her committee and her board do.
The nonprofit essentially pays the bill when someone who is uninsured or underinsured gets a mammogram or other breast imaging service performed. Pink Ribbon Jax works with a network of community partners to make this possible.
The need is huge, and the work done by the nonprofit invaluable.
One in eight women, and one in 726 men, will get breast cancer in their lifetime. That’s a sobering reality. But there is good news. If caught early, this cancer is 99% treatable — which means survivable. That’s why early detection is absolutely critical.
“There are 4 million breast cancer survivors walking around the U.S.,” said Pendjer. “They are the largest group of cancer survivors. So, the mortality rate has gone down.”
And that is probably due in part to the work of advocates like Pink Ribbon Jax.
Tragically, even some people having the financial resources don’t get screened. That’s why Pink Ribbon Jax also strives to increase awareness and education.
While numbers demonstrate the scope of the issue, it’s the very personal stories that tug at the heart.
Pendjer recalled how she received a call from a scared 21-year-old woman who had found lumps in both breasts but had no insurance. She went to the emergency room and was told she needed a mammogram.
The young woman called around, hoping to find a provider, but ran into a barrier due to her age. Because she was under 40, she wasn’t eligible without an ultrasound first.
Finally, she spoke to Pendjer, who reassured her that Pink Ribbon Jax would help her.
And without funds, such as those raised by events like the Pink Ribbon Charity 9-Hole Golf Scramble, such help might not be possible.
The event co-chairs were Joanne Ghiloni and Maggi Kelly, who said participation and proceeds were better than last year. The raffle featured items from more than 50 local restaurants, boutiques, services and businesses, including the Marsh Landing Country Club’s Golf Shop.
In addition, there were proximity prizes, a 50/50 drawing and a putting contest.
Women from clubs all over the First Coast — nearly all wearing bright pink — took part.
Mike Duckworth, the head golf professional at Marsh Landing, did the scoring and announced the winners. He described his own personal stake in the cause.
“It’s dear to my heart,” he said. “My grandmother had breast cancer. She did survive, but it was a scare. This is something that I love to give back to.”
Anyone who missed the opportunity to participate in the golf scramble can try again next year. It’s always held in either October or early November. Kelly suggested contacting the Golf Shop. The phone number is 904-285-6459.
To learn more about Pink Ribbon Jax, go to pinkribbonjax.org.
