MARCELLUS, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Baldwin Fund hosted its annual “Aiming Fore The Cure” Captain & Crew Golf Tournament for breast cancer research.
The event first began in 2002, and continues to grow. As of now, there are 15 volunteers that help with the tournament.
One of them is breast cancer survivor Courtnie Walker, who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2019.
It’s been five years since she’s rung the bell, and was cleared of cancer. As soon as she finished treatment she joined the organization’s board.
“It’s bigger than just golf,” said Walker. “It’s individuals that are supporting a foundation that are trying to continue to find a cure for cancer. And I think that is really important to me.”
The fund has raised over $5 million for research at SUNY Upstate University. This goal this year is $25,000.
“We do have a researcher here at Upstate that has found the medicine to stop metastatic breast cancer,” said Geneanne Keegan-Smith, the assistant events director.
Keegan-Smith says all the money that is raised goes to Upstate’s cancer center in the form of grants. She said their mission is to have a designated cancer institute in Central New York.
Keegan-Smith says Executive Director Beth Baldwin is very caring and will lend a helping hand to anyone.
“Beth is a great networker,” said Keegan-Smith. “She puts the pieces together, the puzzle like, and she’ll think of things of how we can engage the community in different ways.”
Beth Baldwin is part of the family of actors whose mother was diagnosed with cancer, which she successfully overcame.
This year there was a total of 276 golfers, and their goal is to expand over future years.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: From patient to advocate: Survivor joins fight against breast cancer
Geraldine Paglia: A Central New York organization is taking it to the golf course to raise money for a cure, for breast cancer. Our Mya Alysia is live with the impact of this tournament.
Mya Alysia: That’s right. One lady has had many life-altering experiences. One being a form of breast cancer. I got to spend the day with her to hear her journey.
Courtnie Walker: I am looking forward to the day that we can say there is no cancer ever.
Alysia: Breast cancer survivor Courtnie Walker is devoted to finding a cure. Six years ago, at the beginning of breast cancer awareness month, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. The executive director of The Baldwin Fund, Beth Baldwin, helped her fight the battle.
Courtnie Walker: Beth Baldwin actually took me to all my treatments, and we discussed The Baldwin Fund, what it was about, and how I could join and support, additional individuals that were going through the treatment.
Alysia: For the past few years, Walker has worked with The Baldwin Fund to find a cure for breast cancer. Cancer took control of her body, but she says she’s taking it back, by living everyday to the max. And that’s why she is here at the Tuscarora Golf Club helping out at the captain and crew golf tournament to raise money for breast cancer research.
Walker: I hope that others can see, no matter what challenges come your way, you can continue to persevere, and positivity is really important.
Alysia: Walker says it’s important to be grateful for what you have, and look at life as a cup half-full, not half-empty. April marked her fifth anniversary of being cancer-free.
Walker: I think the biggest thing that I can say is it doesn’t matter. Age. Cancer doesn’t discriminate.
Alysia: Assistant events director of The Baldwin Fund Geneanne Keegan-Smith says her hope is Central New York will one day have a national cancer institute.
Geneanne Keegan-Smith: We do have a researcher here at upstate that has found the medicine to stop metastatic breast cancer, so to know that our money has gone towards his research, and he has found something, and it happened right here in Syracuse.
Alysia: Walker’s goal is to create a group for cancer patients and survivors to connect. Live in Marcellus, I’m Mya Alysia NCC News. Back to the desk at you guys.