Fourth annual Jannie's Hope Charity Golf Outing raises funds and awareness for lung cancer research
The Janice McArdle Cancer Research Foundation hosts the fourth annual Jannie's Hope Charity Golf Outing on Sunday, June 9, at White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville.
The event is held in honor of Jannie McArdle, who lost her battle with lung cancer in 2008. The 18-hole golf scramble and evening reception celebrates her life while raising awareness and funds for non-smoking lung cancer research.
“When Jannie was diagnosed with non-smoking lung cancer in 2007, it really broadsided us,” said her husband, Dr. George McArdle of Naperville. “She was as healthy as can be; she worked out regularly, took care of herself and never smoked.”
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.
McArdle, who founded the Janice McArdle Cancer Research Foundation in honor of his wife, hopes to change that. Since its inception, the foundation has raised more than $250,000 for non-smoking lung cancer research.
“This is a terrible thing that happened, and they only way I know of to make some sense of this, is to raise money for cancer research in this specific area,” he said. “Unfortunately, because of the association with smoking, lung cancer gets very few research dollars. It's hard to break away from that.”
Proceeds from Jannie's Hope Charity Golf Outing go directly to fund innovative research to develop early detection methods and advanced treatment techniques, and ultimately find a cure for non-smoker related lung cancer.
“Her hope was to survive, and so if we could transfer that hope – Jannie's hope – to someone else, maybe they wouldn't have to go through the end result that we did,” McArdle said.
Meg Phillips is a family friend and member of the foundation board. She said the annual event is a tribute to Jannie, who was a loving wife, mother and beloved friend.
“Jannie was an amazing person, just so genuine and joyful. She is greatly missed,” said Phillips, of Naperville. “We are working so hard on this because we want to make it a great event, but most important, we want to find a cure and educate people about lung cancer.”
Phillips said golfers and non-golfers alike are welcome to attend. The shotgun start golf scramble begins at 1 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m.
The cost for golf and dinner reception is $150; $80 for reception only. For more information, visit www.jannieshope.org or call 630-904-1747.
If you go:
What: The Fourth Annual Jannie's Hope Charity Golf Outing
When: Sunday, June 9. Registration begins at noon. Shotgun start at 1 p.m.
Where: White Eagle Golf Club, 3400 Club Drive in Naperville.
Cost: $150 for golf and dinner reception and $80 for reception only. There will be both live and silent auctions throughout the evening.
Can't make it to the event? Donations are appreciated, with all proceeds going to the Janice McArdle Cancer Research Foundation. For more information, visit www.jannieshope.org or call 630-904-7417.