Playing to Win

BCRFA Events Support Research

“What Happens Here … Could Save a Life,” was the theme for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama’s (BCRFA) Pink Palace Casino Night held at Southern Progress Corporation on May 3, 2008. The combined proceeds from this event and their annual LPGA Pro-Am Golf Tournament held at Old Overton Country Club on May 5, 2008, reached nearly $260,000.

More than 400 people attended the casino-night event, which featured games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and slots—all overseen by Alliance Game Rentals. Phyllis and Norman Berk and Cissy and Leonard Held, who have all worked tirelessly in support of the BCRFA, were the evening’s honorees. Board members Kate Kiefer and Dianne Mooney co-chaired the event, B&A Warehouse provided catering, and Merrill Lynch was the presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors included UPS; Maynard, Cooper & Gale PC; and Madeline and David Busby, along with other local companies and individuals. A live auction produced more than 300 pre-commitments for the organization’s new “Funding Breast Cancer Research in Alabama” car tag at a cost of $50 each, $41.25 of which will directly fund breast cancer research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.

BCRFA board members Mary Welden, Donna Clark, and Kim Mitchell co-chaired the 14th Annual Drive-Out Breast Cancer LPGA Pro-Am, where 27 amateur teams were paired with professional golfers. First place went to the team of Bob Duckworth, Kathy Livingston, Blake Trotter, and Theresa Stratton. The second-place team from Lamar Advertising of Birmingham consisted of Tom Traylor, Greg Benefield, Jeff Handley, and Jim White. Coming in third was the team sponsored by Mary and Charles Welden: Patty LaRock, Sandy Berglund, Frank Falkenburg, and Susie Martin.

“The BCRFA is dedicated to funding research to find a cure for breast cancer,” says Dianne Mooney, president of the BCRFA. “Some of the board members themselves have been treated by the wonderful physicians at UAB. We believe in these physicians and scientists and want the community to understand the advanced levels of breast-cancer research taking place here in our own backyard. This research is a source of tremendous community pride because it benefits not only Alabamians but also cancer patients around the world. Our events are the BCRFA’s way of raising funds and sharing news about the phenomenal work being conducted at this jewel of a research facility. It’s cause for real optimism and genuine hope for a cure.”