Cancer fundraiser hits close to home

Dear editor:

We recently concluded our second annual charity golf tournament, "GOLF for a CAUSE," in Mountain Home at Desert Canyon Golf Course with all proceeds going directly to the Luekemia/Lymphoma Society.

For the past two years this drive has been supported by Mountain Home businesses, city council, and local residents.

This year we were proud to have Wal-Mart associates from the entire Treasure Valley participate in our cause. In addition we had donations from all of Idaho as well as Oregon and Washington.

Most people may be unaware of how many people locally and in the surrounding areas have been affected by this disease. At the conclusion of our fundraising event in 2009, I spoke of the need for our thoughts and prayers for a couple of local girls. Serenity Miller who was 2 and the other girl was Ryleigh Thomason, who was 15 years of age. Both girls had been afflicted with one of these blood cancers.

I believe God did hear and see our efforts, but for reasons only known to Him he called both girls back home.

It is important for people to know that at times the tragedy is almost incomprehensible for these families. There are many success stories out there, like Justine Martell's son, Mitchell, and Amanda (Wonusbecker) Lindsay's daughter, Trinity, who are in remission today, thanks to the people that donate to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.

We believe it is important that people realize these blood cancers not only effect children but older people as well.

We have learned recently that Dr. Wakelee Bledsoe and Raymond Meyers of Grand View are both facing very serious battles with blood cancer. As many people know, Dr. Bledsoe took care of most of our children in Mountain Home for many years. Ray Meyers is a farmer in Grand View and all that know him respect him. Again, we would like to ask friends and the people in our community to keep these people and all their families affected not only with blood cancer but also with any type of cancer in our thoughts and prayers.

Blood cancer is the biggest disease killer of children under the age of 15. Leukemia and Lymphoma are the leading fatal cancers in young men under age 35.

We cannot express our gratitude enough for your help and donations in 2010. Please come and participate next year in the third annual "GOLF for a CAUSE" tournament. We could not be prouder of our community. We think you should know we sent over $15,000 in 2009 and we project $21,000 in 2010 to be sent to the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society

Take a bow Team Mountain Home. Especially the 160 people who came to golf with us in 100-degree weather. Nice.

Other events planned included: the Light the Night Walk Oct.7 at Ann Morrison Park in Boise, beginning at 7 p.m.; and the Bone Marrow Donor Drive Oct. 23 at the Elks Lodge in Mountain Home from 7-11 a.m.

-- Mike and Toni Reynolds