Schaumburg Family Raising Funds, Awareness to End MS through Charity Golf Outing

Every summer for the past eight years, the Farnam Family of Schaumburg have come together to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis research and services through their annual Barry Farnam MS Charity Golf Classic. This year's outing, which includes 18-holes of golf, cocktails, dinner, contests, prizes and giveaways, will take place on Friday, Sept. 16, at Hilldale Golf Club (1625 Ardwick Drive) in Hoffman Estates.

Witnessing his father's increased struggles with MS, Jay Farnam decided to take action and founded the charity golf event in 2009 to raise awareness and funds to combat the debilitating disease. Through grassroots marketing efforts to secure local sponsors and recruit family and friends, the outing raised over $11,000 in its first year and since that time has raised over $50,000.

"It has grown through word of mouth and social media through my families' small network," said Jay. "Last year was our best year at 85 people and we hope to equal or top that number this year."

Barry Farnam first experienced signs of MS in 1982 when leg numbness and severe back pain led to an appointment with a neurologist. Soon thereafter, a spinal tap revealed that he was living with MS. After the initial diagnosis, his MS symptoms remained relatively mild, allowing him to continue on with daily activities without much limitation. Over the last decade, however, Farnam's MS has progressed to the point where day-to-day tasks including walking and going to the bathroom have become increasingly difficult.

"I have had times when I have had to be in a wheelchair," said Barry, 75. "I no longer can do anything without worrying about falling and I also get very fatigued."

Barry has continued to push forward, himself still participating in the golf outing named in his honor up until two years ago. While he no longer golfs, he looks forward to the outpouring of support and good feelings of the day's festivities and being surrounded by family and friends.

"He absolutely loves to see our friends from years gone by come and say hello to him," said Jay. "He inspires us with his constant efforts to put family first. Although, he struggles every day to live in normalcy, he continues to show love and gratitude to others."

The planning that goes into the event is a collaborative family endeavor, explained Jay.

"I handle about 95 percent of everything leading up to the event," he said. "The week prior my wife, Heather, does all the heavy lifting and organizes all the prizes, auctions, etc. The day of we usually have friends and family to assist with contest and check-in, but Heather runs the show."

Their three daughters Lily, 11, Jaina, 9, and Evelyn 6, also play major roles during the outing and have become quite the entrepreneurs at an early age, running a lemonade stand and selling popsicles to support their grandfather and the fundraiser efforts.

"People were very generous and it made us feel good to donate the money to the BFMS event," said Jaina. "Grandpa is one of the funniest guys I ever met."

"We get to see family and friends get together for a great cause," said Lily of her favorite part of the outing. "I help with check-in and providing gifts to the golfers. I also announce the winners for contest and prizes, and soon maybe will get to golf - maybe this year."

Evelyn plays the role of part-time observer and part-time helper by selling tickets for the 50/50 raffle.

"I like to watch the golfers hit the ball far," she said. "It is very fun and we can help people that are sick."

And if the girls have their way, someday soon they will be the ones in charge of the outing.

"I will be there as long as the event is held and we don't have to stay with the babysitter, and yes I will be running the event with my sisters soon," said Lily.

For all involved in the BFMS Classic, the ultimate purpose is to help people affected by MS live their best lives and to one day find a cure.

"I am hopeful that continued research will help in the disabilities people have with MS," said Barry. "My goal is to be able to continue to function at my present level. With my experience with the disease, I would like to be helpful to others either on a personal, one to one setting, or group setting."

For more information, to donate, or to participate in the BFMS Charity Golf Classic, visit www.thevelijacorporation.org.

Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. The disease affects more than 20,000 individuals in Illinois and 2.3 million worldwide. The National MS Society's vision is a world free of MS, and moves toward that end by driving change through research, advocacy, facilitating education, collaborating with others and by providing helpful programs and services. For more information, visit MSillinois.org.