Washington, D.C. -- The Ercole Comini Charity For Multiple Myeloma Research, in conjunction with the Tournament Golf Association of America (the "premiere Pro-Net Tour in the Mid-Atlantic – www.tgaatour.com), announces a successful charity golf event that raised needed funds for Multiple Myeloma research at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD.
The gala event was held August 29, 2008 at the Virginia Oaks GC in Gainesville, VA…the site of the TGAA Tour Championship. Over one hundred golfers and volunteers participated in the event's success. One hundred percent of the proceeds generated from the event are directed to the Ercole Comini Charity for Multiple Myeloma Research.
Carol Brooker, Executive Director of the Ercole Comini Charity for Multiple Myeloma Research couldn't have been happier – "My husband Dennis Baca, who is the CEO of the Tournament Golf Association of America, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a terminal and incurable cancer approximately three years ago. He participated in the research trials at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, performed by Dr. Ivan Borello. Prior to the trial, Dennis was diagnosed with a 60% cancer burden. After completing a "T-Cell" transplant (the research trial), his cancer burden is less than 10% and no longer needs chemotherapy treatments and other medications. Through the doctor's research, he has found that these trials are also helping those suffering from various head and neck cancers. Dr. Borello receives limited federal funding for his research and depends heavily on philanthropy. We wanted to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for his wonderful work. In the span of about two months, we were able to conduct a first-class event on one of the best daily fee courses here in the DC Metro area, surpass our goal, and afford Dr. Borello the opportunity to offer a fellowship to assist in this valuable research".
Dennis Baca, CEO of the TGAA Tour, discusses how the TGAA Tour and the Ercole Comini Charity for Multiple Myeloma Research are joining efforts and helping to raise even more funds for Dr. Borello's research trials – "On June 1st, through the Tournament Golf Association of America, we launched a program called "Birdies for a Cure." Based upon the number of gross birdies made at TGAA Tour events, Tour players, their family and friends, as well as local businesses made pledges or sponsored their favorite player. Through this program, we have found that just about everyone, at some point and time, either dealt with personally or know someone who has been diagnosed with one of the many forms of cancer. We began with a goal of $10,000 and hoped to achieve that by mid-October, when our tournament season concludes. In less than four months, through the generosity of many individuals and businesses, we have surpassed that goal. We will continue to work closely with the Ercole Comini Charity and implement the "Birdies for a Cure" program at the beginning of our '09 season. When given a full season, we know that we can double or even triple the contribution the TGAA Tour and the Ercole Comini Charity presents to the Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins for their continued research efforts. As Dr. Borrello said, "Any contribution is helpful no matter how small and will help in obtaining the needed tools to further this promising endeavor for myeloma patients and their families".
About the Ercole Comini Charity for Multiple Myeloma Research:
The Ercole Comini Charity for Multiple Myeloma Research was founded by Carol Brooker and Dennis M. Baca, Ercole's grandson and himself a Multiple Myeloma patient. Progress for myeloma sufferers is being made but still no cure. However, Dennis is a recipient of that progress and has now lived three times longer than his grandfather since diagnosis. He hopes that his kids and grandkids, as well as those who currently have the disease, do not have to sacrifice a quality of life because of the lack of funding in finding a cure.
The Charity can be contacted at the address below:
Ercole Comini Multiple Myeloma Charity
7892 Virginia Oaks Drive
Gainesville , VA 20155
(703) 754-8285
Access to the website is as easy as clicking www.tgaatour.com or picking up the phone and making a contribution.
About Multiple Myeloma:
Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cell, is an incurable but treatable disease. While a myeloma diagnosis can be overwhelming, it is important to remember that there are several promising new therapies that are helping patients live longer, healthier lives. The estimated frequency of multiple myeloma is 5 to 7 new cases per 100,000 persons per year. Accordingly, in the United States, 19,920 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2008. There were more than 56,000 Americans living with multiple myeloma in 2005, the most current date these statistics are available.
Multiple myeloma (also known as myeloma or plasma cell myeloma) is a progressive hematologic (blood) disease. It is a cancer of the plasma cell, an important part of the immune system that produces immunoglobulins (antibodies) to help fight infection and disease. Multiple myeloma is characterized by excessive numbers of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow and overproduction of intact monoclonal immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgD, or IgE) or Bence-Jones protein (free monoclonal κ and λ light chains). Hypercalcemia, anemia, renal damage, increased susceptibility to bacterial infection, and impaired production of normal immunoglobulin are common clinical manifestations of multiple myeloma. It is often also characterized by diffuse osteoporosis, usually in the pelvis, spine, ribs, and skull.
(information courtesy of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation – www.mmrf.org)
About the Tournament Golf Association of America:
Since 1996, the TGAA Tour (www.tgaatour.com) has been the premier Pro-Net tour in the Mid-Atlantic. The TGAA Tour is a member organization that offers all golfers the most exciting advancement in competitive golf, regardless of age, gender, skill level or handicap. As a member of the TGAA, you will be personally challenged as you compete against yourself, the course and your handicap. You will enjoy the company of other golf enthusiasts in addition to competing for cash as a TGAA professional or for certificates as an amateur. The events are professionally managed, governed by the USGA Rules of Golf and use a patent pending handicap system developed from TGAA tournament scores only. The goal is to develop and maintain the largest professional golf membership organization providing services for the avid to aspiring golfer - both locally and nationally. Come…"Experience the Dream".
For more information on how you can become a partner/sponsor of the TGAA Tour, visit www.tgaatour.com or email Steven Moses, COO at smoses@tgaatour.com. If you would like to become a franchisee and bring the success of pro-net tournament golf and the TGAA Tour to your area of the country, please contact Dennis M. Baca, CEO at dmbaca@tgaatour.com.
Media Contact for TGAA Tour:
Carol Brooker
SVP, Administration & Communication
703-754-8285 or 800-929-7449
cbrooker@tgaatour.com
www.tgaatour.com
