June 9, 2003

Fran Delaney Fund

DEC Alumni Golf Tournament

DEC Alumni raises over $82,000 and breaks the $1,000,000 mark!!!!

The DEC Alumni team headed by Peter Koch, Angelo Guadagno and Tricia Baglio again conducted a very successful golf event at Stow Acres Country Club in support of the Fran Delaney Fund. The tournament steering committee of Angelo and Sharon Guadagno, Peter and Karin Koch, Mike Gallup, Tricia Baglio, Buz Doucette, Lou Kobbs and Darlene Weide should be congratulated for all their hard work in making this event the success it was.

The day started out with a threat of rain but thanks to the perhaps divine intervention, the field was able to finish the day with hardly a drop coming down. Over 160 golfers participated and some great scores were posted. Congratulations to all our winners:

Once again our Master of Ceremonies was Jack Novia who did a great job as Auctioneer. What we all enjoyed most was how Jack would bid on items to drive up the price and more than once buy the item himself. All in all, the auction raised over $15,000 and everyone had a good time.

A very special guest joined us at the tournament. Jeff Julian, a professional golfer and tour player diagnosed with ALS a few years ago greeted most of our players on the 18th green on the South course. Jeff’s putting skills would help a few of the groups as he would try to make one putt for each foursome that came through. I do believe that Jeff was able to snake in a few long ones.

Finally our keynote speaker, Fran Delaney was introduced by his daughter Karen. Fran in his most inimitable style thanked everyone for their generosity in both time and money in making this and our entire event schedule a success. This particular event helped push the Fran Delaney Fund over the $1,000,000 fund raising level in just over 2 ½ years of existence. What an accomplishment and a tribute to what a few friends can do.

Our campaign raises awareness and money but in the end our FDF team is all about - people! Its about saving lives, its about putting an end to this devastating disease and its about giving patients and their families - HOPE!

Fran Delaney