Fore the Kids Golf Classic
In its eighth year, the Steven Meissner Memorial "Fore the Kids" Golf Classic was again a huge success. The event at RiverEdge Golf Club raised $126,690 to support Youth Net and pediatric needs at Marshfield Clinic. In its eight years, nearly one million dollars has been raised to support the youth of our area.
The Meissner family organizes this event in memory of Steven Meissner, who was killed in a car accident in 2005. He was passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and believed every child deserves happiness. (See story on Page 14.)
The goal of this event is to provide and improve education, health, family and the overall well-being of children's lives.
"Having the opportunity to actually SEE the impact your efforts have made is something beyond compare," said Tammy Meissner. "Not only have thousands of children been positively influenced by our generous donors, but the next generation of givers has surfaced. Fore the Kids is leaving a trail of individuals paying it forward and nothing could be more rewarding for us."
Ridin' for a Reason
Jackie Greenhow was the first patient screened on the new unit.
More than 100 motorcyclists gathered in the Chippewa Falls area on June 1 for the 6th Annual Ridin' for a Reason to raise awareness and money to help fight breast cancer.
"It's amazing to see these big, burly bikers – many wearing pink – get out there to support the fight against breast cancer. It's a brotherhood," said event founder Angie Gibbs-Thomas. "One of the biggest rewards is the bonding that happens. So we also have a 'sisterhood' of ladies who have met during this event."
The bikers have raised nearly $60,000 over the years, with a significant portion going to Marshfield Clinic. The Clinic's new mobile health unit, sponsored by Associated Bank, was on-site and provided screening mammograms. One of them was for Jackie Greenhow, a small business owner who has breast cancer in her family but has not been able to get a mammogram in nearly 10 years.
"It's great that Marshfield Clinic makes it so easy for women to take care of themselves," she said. "Thank you!"
Dueling Against Cancer
In March, two guys and two pianos came together in Stevens Point to create a night of fun to fight cancer. This customized show dared to go wherever the audience took it with comedy, music and improvisation. They battled throughout the night to raise money in a fun and unique atmosphere.
Organized and sponsored by Ameriprise Financial and Michael Smith & Associates, this event raised $34,500. Proceeds benefit the Marshfield Clinic WINGS cancer survivorship program and the Stevens Point cancer care fund.
"The battle against cancer does not end with treatment," Mike Smith said. "The proceeds have also enabled the WINGS program to produce a DVD message of hope and encouragement. Many of us have been affected by cancer, so helping provide support and hope for cancer patients is very rewarding."
Keira's birthday wish comes true
Keira Link, a nine-year-old who has had family members affected by cancer, invited her friends to an afternoon of fun in support of childhood cancer. Kids decorated cancer ribbons to be sewn onto a quilt, released balloons with kind messages for all affected, wrote letters and enjoyed an afternoon of fun.
All funds raised at Keira's Birthday Wish in Minong, Wisconsin, were donated to the Oncology Angel Fund at Marshfield Clinic. In support of the event, the clinic donated items for gift bags and branded balloons to decorate the party. The total amount raised was approximately $1,000.
Shooting for a Cure
The UW-Marshfield/ Wood County Marauders had a great season underway. However, one of their biggest fans was unfortunately no longer in the stands. In September of 2012, co-captain Brandon Herr lost his mother, Jane, to leukemia.
UW-Marshfield Marauders Men's basketball team with William Krause.
In February, the team hosted UW-Rock County in "Shooting for a Cure," a fundraiser to support cancer research. The team's honorary ball boy for that game was William Krause, 4, who was diagnosed with leukemia a short time before Jane. He has been in remission and continues his three-year treatment plan at Marshfield Clinic.
A silent auction, raffle and ticket sales, combined with sponsorships, brought in nearly $12,000.
"Shooting for a Cure was a huge success because of the amazing support and generosity from family, friends, and local communities," said Marauders Coach Ron Wilczek, Jane's son-in-law. "It was incredibly meaningful to do a fundraiser in Jane's memory and it was also very gratifying to see young men come together to support a teammate during a very difficult time in his life."
Yoga Tree reaches new heights
Kristin Polenz and a group called the Yoga Tree put on a special yoga session in April, at Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Center.
Attendees to this special session donated at least $10 each to benefit young cancer patients and families receiving care at the Eau Claire facility, a new outreach service to this community.
The 43 people attending raised $683 to benefit these families.
"Duel It" Fore the Kids
In February, 2013, the Meissner family and Marshfield Clinic organized the fourth annual "Duel It" Fore the Kids. The event is a fun-filled night of comedy, music and improv brought to the audience by the
Dueces Wild Dueling Piano performers.
Proceeds of this event go to support pediatric needs at Marshfield Clinic, in a similar way to the "Fore the Kids" golf event organized in June each year by the same passionate group of individuals.