JoyRx, the mission delivery of Children’s Cancer Association, celebrated thirteen exciting years hosting our annual Golf for Joy Tournament at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club near Portland, Oregon. For over a decade, Golf for Joy has raised more than three million dollars in vital funding to support the continuation of our free, Joy-based programs.
Supporters Came Out Swinging
And this year, everyone had a lot to celebrate — thanks to the efforts of our community, we raised $665k for our JoyRx programming. That’s the most raised funds EVER for this event, and we are incredibly grateful for our community’s support and kindness!
This gracious support helps us offer our programs completely free-of-charge to families and hospital partners and allows us to support emotional healing for thousands of kids and their families each year. What can be more Joyous than that?
Golfers enjoyed three beautiful days of sunshine at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, playing on both the Witch Hollow and Ghost Creek courses as they competed for a purse prize.
Congratulations to our amateur team winners:
- Bill Cole, Mike Sica, Terry Miller, Mark Ward, and Pro David Brown
- Jordan Jenkins, Doug Jenkins, Mike Kloenne, Loree McKay, and Pro Hunter Wescott
- Jeremy Reedal, Jim Heisler, Mark Wilson, Gretchen Johnson, and Pro Craig Crandall
- Kenneth Tumlinson, Keith Lundquist, Jerry Achilles, Richard Monroe, and Pro Sam Harned
- Gay Davis, Jeff Roberts, Vince DiGiano, Nicholas Parker, Pat Cooney, Pat McCabe, Pro Rick Reilly, and Pro Domonic Marconi
- Jim Cure, Dwayne Douglas, Scott Walters, Sam George, and Pro Fred Haney
- Charlie Burns, Nick Heacock, Patrick Palmer, Matt Elm, Peet Eastwood, and Pro Kevin Mathis
And hats off to our winner in the pro competition: Jesse Heinly and Sam Harned
A Joyful Evening
Participants experienced the illustrious golf courses and, on Tuesday night, gathered together for an inspiring JoyRx program and dinner, featuring live auction, keynote speech from Rick Reilly, and family speaker Tyson Lancaster who shared the heartwarming story of the powerful difference JoyRx makes for his son, Oliver, and his treatment journey. (You can learn a bit about Oliver’s story by reading our spotlight blog here.)
“Watching Oliver interact with JoyRx, it felt like a light switch flipping. I had an aha moment, like — yes, this is what Oliver needs,” said Tyson in his powerful speech. “That’s what JoyRx gives to families like ours — a chance to find the simple and powerful moments, a chance to connect, a chance to heal.”
We also hosted the Joy Zone, a golf clinic and activity center for JoyRx-served kids and their families. It was a great success last year and, this year, we were sure to bring it back bigger and brighter than ever. Kids enjoyed coloring stations, golf lessons, a toy giveaway, and a bounce-house — which made for smiles all around.
You can check out the photos below for a glimpse of the Joy our kids and families experienced during their visit to the Joy Zone:
