The Lovemark Foundation recently presented the Brain Tumor program at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven with a $100,000 donation.
The Lovemark Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial and emotional assistance to brain cancer patients and their families, threw its first annual pro-am at Hudson National Golf Club on Monday, June 26. The charity was founded by golfer Jamie Lovemark and his wife, Tiva.
PGA tour pros that played in the event included Keegan Bradley, Luke Donald, Brendan Steele, and Tony Finau. The night prior, a fireside dinner was held for board members and players, who were lodged in Hudson National’s intimate cabins. Participants trickled in over a grand breakfast the following morning, and Lovemark’s coach, Chris Como, hosted a techniques class that preceded the all-day outing. Nike and Serendipity sponsored gift bags, while Pepe Auto Group donated the hole-in-one prize, a state-of-the-art Mercedes Benz sedan. The convivial atmosphere was no doubt aided by a golf cart bar that zoomed around the course, delivering drinks throughout the day. Sportsmen from across the country, like former New York Ranger Mark Messier and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Peterson, also flew in for the charitable affair.
Dinner saw players, donors, and their families come together over cocktails, music, and an opulent meal, which included a raw bar and seafood buffet. Following was a silent auction that raised over $20k and was attended by neurosurgeon Dr. Jennifer Moliterno Gunel, one of the brain tumor specialists the foundation has teamed up with in partnership with Yale New Haven’s Oncology Social Work department. Items auctioned off were as diverse as an all-expenses paid golfing trip to The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida, a personal styling session by Nike, and countless sports memorabilia.
The sold-out event raised almost $200k, a massive success for its first year. Funds will aid families by covering everything from mortgage costs and bills, to rides to appointments and medical equipment.