IMA recently launched the updated 2010 Hackers for Hope website and would like to take this opportunity to salute this worthy organization.
Since 1988, Hackers For Hope has raised funds primarily through an annual golfing event held in Darien, CT, which will take place on September 24. This year, a new event has been added, which will take place in Verona, Pennsylvania on July 23.
In the spring of 1986, Alfred E. Smith, IV and Edward D. Brown (Tim) were diagnosed with cancer while in their 30′s. As a result of their prognosis, each underwent treatment of chemotherapy or radiation and neither was able to return to work for the remainder of that year. Both members of the Wee Burn Country Club in Darien, Connecticut, Al and Tim spent the summer of 1986 on the golf course. Despite feeling weakness from their treatment, playing golf allowed them physical activity outside and refocused their attention away from their disease to a more positive attainable goal – improving their golf game.
In 1988, Al and Tim wanted to do something to raise funds for the American Cancer Society while making use of their golf skills. Al and Tim enlisted Dr. Michael Moore of Sloan-Kettering and Bob Rex and put together a small “golf marathon” fundraiser. The original group of golfers played or “hacked” from sun up to sun down.
They called the event “Hackers For Hope” and Wee Burn Country Club fully supported Al and Tim’s efforts. They raised $47,000 for the American Cancer Society in that first year. Since that first “tournament” in 1988, the Hackers For Hope Program has grown exponentially. Incorporated in 1994, Hackers For Hope has refocused its mission to provide funding for local cancer research and treatment centers in the New York and Connecticut areas, such as the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut and Memorial Sloan-Kettering and St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers – Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York. In total, Hackers For Hope has donated close to $9,000,000 to these and other organizations.
In addition to adding a new venue this year, the updated Hackers for Hope site includes a forum where users can send a note of encouragement to a Hacker, share experiences with cancer treatment/recovery, or raise awareness of any exciting research or treatment developments.
We at IMA are always inspired by the work done by our many non-profit clients and hope that 2010 is Hackers For Hope’s best year ever!
