Chip in for cancer at the BGH golf tourney

Well, it looks like summer is in full swing. And speaking of swings, how's yours? The 8th Annual Bonner General Hospital Golf Tournament is right around the corner. This year's tournament, Chip in for Cancer, benefiting the new North Idaho Cancer Center Sandpoint Clinic, will take place the afternoon of Friday, July 14, at Stoneridge Golf Resort.

The event promises to be a great one — complete with sun, fun, food, games and prizes. Prizes include festival tickets, Schweitzer Ski Day Passes, and gift certificates and lots of other prizes from local businesses. On the 17th hole, win the hole-in-one prize — a new Four-Wheeler Ranger ATV provided by Dover Bay and Waterfront Property Management.

Tee-off is at 1 p.m. and your ticket price of $70 per person includes greens fees, cart, barbecue dinner, prizes and automatic entry into grand prize raffle. Opportunities for sponsorship are available for golfers and non-golfers alike.

While you're enjoying the beauty of Stoneridge, you'll also be helping a very worthy cause. The North Idaho Cancer Center Sandpoint Clinic will answer a growing need in Bonner County for cancer treatment close to home. Housed on the BGH campus, the clinic will be a welcome addition to our growing medical community, helping local people fight the fight against cancer.

With the new clinic, no longer will it be necessary for patients to make the long drive down to Coeur d'Alene or Spokane to see an oncologist or get chemotherapy treatment. Instead, they will only have to travel a short distance to BGH where they can get the treatment they need in a familiar, comfortable environment with people they trust.

Cancer has touched the lives of many people of us. And we work hard to support the American Cancer Society in the search for a cure through events like the recent Relay for Life. The North Idaho Cancer Center Sandpoint Clinic will help people right here in our community. It will directly benefit the people we see everyday at the supermarket or post office, the people we know, and the people we love.

The scariest thing about cancer is that none of us are immune. At any time it can affect our loved ones, our neighbors or even ourselves. It does not discriminate based on age, social status, race, gender or beliefs. Isn't it amazing that we have the chance to help fight this invisible enemy simply by playing a round of golf?

To participate in BGH's Chip in for Cancer Tournament, or for more information, please call Nikki Luttmann at 265-3617. We are welcoming players, sponsors and donations. All proceeds will benefit the North Idaho Cancer Center Sandpoint Clinic.

Again, the tournament will be held on Friday, July 14th with tee-off at 1 p.m. at Stoneridge Golf Resort. The format is a four-person scramble, so it's great fun for all players, regardless of ability or experience.

If you would like to play, but do not have a team, we will be happy to help match you up with one.