foundation

Can’t attend, but interested in donating to help our mission of finding a cure for brain cancer? Venmo us at @GVSBC – Any amount is greatly appreciated!

Our Inspiration.

In 2008 at the age of 40, Melissa Pittman wasn’t thinking about cancer – busy with an active family, Melissa and her husband, Jay, had become part of the East Lake Woodlands Country Club golf community when they relocated from South Carolina.

Suddenly, Melissa and her family were faced with a shocking diagnosis – an inoperable brain tumor – and her life was forever changed. Initially given just three years to live, Melissa began her journey to survive.

With chemo and radiation treatments to keep the tumor from growing, Melissa continued to beat the odds for eight unimaginable years.

Early in 2016 the tumor again began to grow and Melissa lost her battle that spring. But her inspiration to find a cure lives on and remains the focus of our foundation.

Melissa’s determination, fighting spirit and the support of many friends and colleagues in the golfing community are the inspiration for Golfers vs. Brain Cancer. Family, friends, golfers of all skill levels – have rallied on behalf of Melissa and so many others who are stricken with brain cancer.

For Melissa, she lived by the motto of: “each day is a present – that is why it’s called the present; yesterday is the past and tomorrow is unknown…but today is my present!”

Our Foundation.

Golfers vs. Brain Cancer – Reaching Out, Raising Funds to Find a Cure.

“Let’s find a cure” was Melissa’s response to all who asked “What can we do to help?”

Now in its 15th year, Golfers vs. Brain Cancer has raised more than $1,000,000 to support brain cancer research, for that very purpose – to find a cure.

To date, these funds have helped support ongoing research and resources to treat brain cancer patients at Moffitt Cancer Center & Johns Hopkins All Children’s in Tampa.

According to national statistics, over 22,000 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord were diagnosed in 2016, striking men, women and children without discrimination. Though more targeted treatment programs are being developed and tested, there is much to be done to improve the survival rate and quality of life for brain cancer patients.

Golfers vs. Brain Cancer is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation which will continue to seek out research initiatives and programs to meet the goal of finding a cure for brain cancer. Over 90% of the funds raised through the Golfers vs. Brain Cancer tournament are donated to the cause.

Here’s where you can make a difference.

Please join us on Friday, November 17th for the 2023 benefit tournament at East Lake Woodlands Country Club, which includes a silent auction.

Consider a sponsor-level donation or contribution to the silent auction, bring a foursome and come out for a great day of golf and a great cause.

Help us Fight Brain Cancer

Our Causes.

Every year, we evaluate our options for putting the generous donations and sponsor investments to the best use we possibly can. This year, we are very pleased to partner with the wonderful organizations such as Johns Hopkins All Children’s and Moffitt Cancer Center, among other families in need.

Our Ambassador.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s patient, Lily Rajala, is 11 years old and a brain tumor survivor. In May of 2011, she was diagnosed with a primitive, neuroectodermal brain tumor after suffering from symptoms such as severe headaches that increased in frequency and severity. The day following her diagnosis, she immediately went into surgery to have the tumor removed. Shortly after she recovered from surgery, she had 30 straight days of radiation to her brain and spine, followed by 6 cycles of chemotherapy treatments. Her final treatment was in January of 2012. She still visits Johns Hopkins All Children’s for regular MRI check ups as well as oncology, audiology, endocrinology, ophthalmology and occupational therapy visits. Lily represents all the children we will be helping with our fundraising efforts through the Golfers vs Brain Cancer Foundation.

Lily’s latest update: Lily is in good health and continues to be cancer free now almost 7 years after her last treatment. We have an annual MRI in June, and we expect good results then as well. We will keep you in the loop on those results!

Johns Hopkins All Children’s is a Pediatric hospital located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Johns Hopkins All Children’s is the only specialty licensed children’s hospital on Florida’s west coast. Founded in 1926, Johns Hopkins All Children’s has grown into a leading pediatric referral center that is dedicated to advancing treatment, education, research and advocacy in child health.

It has consistently ranked among America’s top 25 children’s hospitals in comparative studies done by Child Magazine, which rated Johns Hopkins All Children’s as the best in Florida in 2007. Johns Hopkins All Children’s has also garnered Most Outstanding Business awards from the Tampa Bay Business Journal and the Greater St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.

On April 4, 2011, Johns Hopkins All Children’s became part of the Johns Hopkins Health System as a fully integrated member of Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM).

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Mission is to provide leadership in child health through treatment, education, advocacy and research.

Treatment – Deliver quality services with compassion and commitment to family-centered care.
Education – Provide educational programs for our patients, families, employees and healthcare professionals.
Advocacy – Provide leadership in promoting the well-being of children.
Research – Develop, support and participate in clinical, basic and translational research.

Moffitt Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center whose sole mission is to “contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.”

Since its doors opened in 1986, Moffitt has worked to establish a tradition of excellence in patient care offered in an atmosphere characterized by compassion and hope.

Moffitt is also a recognized leader in focused, innovative research and an important resource for training future scientific and clinical leaders in oncology.

Combining the clinical and research sides, the Cancer Center’s goal is the discovery, translation and delivery of personalized cancer care.

Moffitt has been named among “America’s Best Hospital’s” for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report since 1999.

Families In Need:

In addition to our donations to the wonderful causes of Johns Hopkins All Children’s and Moffitt Cancer Center, who are working hard to find a cure for cancer, each year we research and identify direct families in need of assistance and we support them in the best ways that we can.

Your donations to help our cause are sincerely appreciated.

Checks can be made out to “Golfers vs Brain Cancer Foundation” and mailed to: 334 East Lake Rd #309 Palm Harbor, FL 34685-2427