Record-breaking $260,000 donation goes to the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation.
We raised a record-breaking $260,000 dollars for breast cancer research at our 13th annual Quad Charity Open Golf Tournament on June 21.
Held at the Silver Spring Country Club (just east of our Sussex plant), the event attracted more than 300 golfers and was headlined by Deanna Favre, a cancer survivor and wife of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre. Proceeds went to her organization, the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation, which raises money for disadvantaged and underinsured women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Among its efforts, the foundation supports breast cancer education, women's breast imaging and diagnosis services.
One of the highlights of the evening was when Deanna accepted the check from Joel Quadracci, President & CEO of Quad/Graphics.
"This is amazing," Deanna said. "I'm in absolute awe. I promise you, all of this money will go to women in need who are battling breast cancer.
"I have to say, I'm very impressed with the quality of people I've met today. Many people shared their personal stories of their sisters, mothers and wives who've experienced breast cancer. This (raising money for those in need) is what's truly important - giving our time and resources to others," said Deanna. "It's encouraging that companies like Quad/Graphics provide such a wonderful model to the community and other area businesses."
Record Breaking Attendance
The event provided the opportunity for Quad employees and vendors to join together to raise money for a good cause and enjoy a day of golfing. Of the 324 golfers, 142 were vendors. There were also nearly a record-breaking 70 "dinner only" participants who came to see and hear Deanna.
Evening Highlights
After the golf tournament, auctioneer Dan McKee helped raise funds by auctioning off six luxury items, including two tickets to sit in the Favre Luxury suite with Deanna for the September 23 Packer game versus the San Diego Chargers at Lambeau Field. During the bidding war, Deanna urged on the bidders by promising to take the winning bidder to the locker room after the game to meet Brett. The crowd went wild, cheering and clapping as Joel Quadracci eventually won the bidding.
Jane Orth, Sussex Fitness, coordinated the event along with co-chair Terry Pizza, Sussex Imaging, and Robin Schlee, Corporate Manager of Fitness.
"I look forward to this event every year." Jane said. "It's always a special time. When you combine a great group of people with a fun event, for a good cause, it turns out to be a memorable, special time you never forget.
"I'd also like to thank our vendors for contributing their time and energy to participate in the most successful event we've ever had."
Quad Cancer Survivor
Following Deanna, Terry took the stage to talk about her experience with breast cancer.
"As a cancer survivor, people ask me what it was like," said Terry who was diagnosed and treated in 2003. "One of the most positive things that came out of having cancer is I can use my experience to comfort others who are going through cancer or have other serious health problems."
Event History
The annual Charity Open arose from Quad/Graphics' culture of corporate citizenship and commitment to improve the communities where we live and work.
"The golf tournament is a chance for Quad to give back to the community," Joel said. "I'm proud that we can team up to help cure breast cancer and further the progress for breast cancer research! It's gratifying to know that we have a part in transforming lives, literally."
The first Quad Charity Golf Open began in 1994, raising $4,500 for the Community Fund. Quad/Graphics matched this amount to double the proceeds. The following year, the event was combined with the annual Sussex Golf Outing. The first corporate-wide charity golf event was held in 1995 at Kettle Moraine Country Club in Dousman, Wis.
More than $840,000 has been donated over the past 13 years. Since 2001, when Dick Marsel, Saratoga Springs Plant Manager, died from cancer, proceeds from our annual event have gone to cancer-fighting charities, including Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia & Lymphona Society.
Deanna Favre Hope Foundation
"There were two reasons I started this foundation," Deanna said. "When I went through cancer, I saw how costly the treatments were and I thought to myself, what do people do when they have cancer and don't have health insurance? There was a time when I had no health insurance as a young single mother. I have no idea what I would have done if I'd gotten breast cancer then. The other inspiration in starting the foundation was all of the wonderful women I've met who shared their stories and experiences with me as they went through cancer."
"I was shocked to find out that according to the American Cancer Society, every three minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with the disease. Breast cancer is a disease that has touched so many of our lives. Through this event, we can touch other people's lives and influence them in a positive way," Joel added.
Photos: John Ehlers, Sussex Communications Lisa Kline lisa.kline@qg.com
