Dallas Cowboys running back coach Gary Brown, along with his wife Kim and daughter Malena, will serve as Honorary Chairs for the 12th Annual III Forks Golf Classic presented by Northwestern Mutual – Dallas on May 1 – 2, 2016. The two-day event kicks off with an exclusive dinner, as well as a live and silent auction on Sunday evening, May 1, at III Forks Steakhouse in Dallas. On Monday, May 2, more than 240 golfers will gather at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano to compete on the Kings and Queens courses.
The III Forks Golf Classic is ranked as one of the top grossing golf tournaments in Dallas-Fort Worth by the Dallas Business Journal. Last year, the event raised a record $365,000.
“Kim and Gary Brown know first-hand the significant battle children with cancer face and we are thrilled that they are joining us in our fight to raise money to support childhood cancer research,” said Kathryn Copple, Executive Director of Dallas-based TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation.
“Not only is Coach Brown a cancer survivor himself, their 17-year-old daughter, Malena, was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) in 2013,” Copple continued. “Both Gary and Malena are in remission; however, Malena may need a bone marrow transplant in the future to be fully healed. With the Brown’s support, we hope to increase awareness of the critical need for more funding, better treatment protocols, and eventually cures for childhood cancers.”
TeamConnor has donated more than $1.8 million in grants to the top research hospitals in the United States conducting cutting edge research of childhood cancers.
In addition to funding research, TeamConnor also supports an Art Box Program at Children’s Health in Dallas and Cook Children’s in Fort Worth. This program outfits kids going through a transplant and in isolation for 30 days or more with activities specifically geared towards their interests. Kids receive items such as paints, crayons, coloring books, puzzles, books, and games to express themselves while going through treatment.
Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find a cure for all childhood cancers.
TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including the III Forks Golf Classic and Auction Dinner; May 1-2, Splash Out Childhood Cancer; July 14, National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert and Prayer Vigil on September 3; Color Me Green 5K and Caterpillar Dash October 1; and the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 10.
In addition, TeamConnor’s national program, Coins for Kids with Cancer raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research.
For more information on how to impact the lives of those affected by childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or find us at Facebook.com/TeamConnor.