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- Posted Tuesday September 27, 2016
Atlanta Golf Classic drives hope for pancreatic cancer patients
Today’s 7th annual tournament supports new treatments guided by TGen
ATLANTA - Sept. 27, 2016 - Tournament organizer and Atlanta businessman Howard Young has a lot to celebrate at this year's 7th annual Atlanta Golf Classic today at the Capital City Club at Crabapple in Alpharetta.
The tournament supports the Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), whose research surrounding early detection and innovative clinical trials is bringing new hope to pancreatic cancer patients.
"Thanks to TGen and its Physician-In-Chief Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, I not only have survived 14 years with this most aggressive of cancers, but my wife Becky and I have seen the marriage of two of our daughters and the recent miraculous birth of our first grandchild," said Young, who credits TGen and Dr. Von Hoff with saving his life.
Dr. Von Hoff, who is world renowned for his contributions to pancreatic cancer research, is leading research that is resulting in longer survival for pancreatic cancer patients.
In the past 6 years, the Atlanta Golf Classic has raised nearly $1 million in support of TGen research, including $157,000 raised last year. This year, the tournament is expected to raise an additional $200,000 for the advancement of new therapies for pancreatic cancer, now the nation's third leading cause of cancer-related death.
This year's tournament field of 132 golfers is sold out.
"We are so grateful for the tremendous support for pancreatic cancer patients that our friends in Georgia and throughout the nation have provided by participating in this tournament," said Young, a Board Member of the TGen Foundation, and chair of its National Pancreatic Cancer Committee.
Pancreatic cancer this year will take the lives of nearly 42,000 Americans, surpassing breast cancer to become the nation's third leading cause of cancer-related death. Median survival for patients with advanced disease is less than 6 months following diagnosis, and the 5-year survival rate is less than 10 percent for all patients.
Pancreatic cancer's lethal nature stems from its propensity to rapidly spread to distant organs, especially the liver and the lungs. Survival remains low partly because no early screening test exists.
The Atlanta Golf Classic is held in association with the Scottsdale-based Seena Magowitz Foundation.
"Howard Young's remarkable battle against pancreatic cancer is a beacon of hope for all patients and an example of how TGen and Dr. Von Hoff are helping patients survive today," said Roger E. Magowitz, President of the Seena Magowitz Foundation, which he founded in honor of his mother, Seena, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2001.
This 7th annual tournament will be co-hosted by Howard Young, John Morley, Randy Dobbs, Jane Young, Bill Young, and Steve Young. Corporate sponsors are E-Z-Go and Serta Simmons Bedding.
Registrations and donations are still being accepted, and non-golfers are invited to attend the tournament's awards luncheon. Please contact Tournament Director Liz McBeth at [email protected] or 757-773-3622.
For more information, visit www.seenamagowitzfoundation.org/atlanta-golf-classic, or contact Roger E. Magowitz at [email protected] or 602-524-7636.
To learn more about TGen's work in pancreatic cancer, watch a video that includes Howard Young, his wife Becky Young, Roger E. Magowitz, Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, TGen President Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff, former U.S. Vice President and TGen Foundation Board Member Dan Quayle, Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall, New York Yankees Senior Vice President & General Manager Brian Cashman, Leggett & Platt Inc. President and CEO Karl Glassman, and Mattress Firm Executive Vice President Karrie Forbes, at: www.seenamagowitzfoundation.org.
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About the Seena Magowitz Foundation
The Seena Magowitz Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to advancing the awareness and eventual prevention and cure of pancreatic cancer. The Foundation is dedicated to funding top medical institutions on the leading edge of translational pancreatic cancer research committed to diagnosis, the advancement of life-extending treatment options and the ultimate goal of eradicating this deadly killer. For more information, visit: www.seenamagowitzfoundation.org.
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About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, and diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org. Follow TGen on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @TGen.
Media Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
