RENTON – A fundraising golf tournament for cancer awareness in the memory of Six Nations’ Andrea Skye, who succumbed to cancer two months ago, was held at the Greens at Renton Golf Club last weekend.
Don Skye, Andrea’s father, spoke for the rest of the family when he thanked the participants for the Andrea Skye Memorial Golf Tournament and those who helped organize the event.
“What a great turnout,” said Skye. “I didn’t know if we would get half this number.”
Co-owner of the Greens at Renton and a sponsor of the event, Steve Williams, was also blown away by the turnout and enthusiasm of the golfers. “It was a great day for the Skye family and for the Miles to Go Support Group,” he said. “We had to turn golfers away after all the spots were filled.”
In total there were 185 golfers and 25 volunteers who made it such a success in raising an estimated $20,000 for Six Nation Miles-to-Go Cancer Support Group, a local group of volunteers, made up of cancer survivors and the families and friends of cancer victims who support each other and to do what they can to help cancer victims deal with the fears and the shock of it all. Sometimes it’s just having someone to talk to outside the immediate family. Studies show that, in many cases, a patient will be reluctant to open up to their family during this time not wanting to upset them.
The group also support patients with transportation to and from doctor appointments or visits to the clinic.
After a near perfect day for golf and a great meal, members of the Miles-to-Go Cancer Support Group thanked the golfers, volunteers and the many sponsors for their dedication and donations to the cause.
The prize table was full of great items, any donated by area businesses, and the various draws also brought in more money for the Foundation.
After that, Terry Hill was presented with a $20,000 cheque to go towards the work the Miles-to-Go group does for Six Nations patients. The amount of the cheque was not disclosed until the presentation and Hill, in particular, was overwhelmed with the generosity shown.
“I have lost a lot of good friends along the way,” Carrie Hill said. “Far too many. But this is one awesome check. What we do in our group is help families deal with what they have to deal with and make their journey a little lighter. This donation will be well used.”
The group was initially formed on April 8th, of 1998.