‘Rallying' against breast cancer: Golf clinic set for Saturday

A grass-roots program created to empower people to take action in the fight against breast cancer will hold an event in Yuma this Saturday.

The Rally for the Cure 15th Annual Golf Women's Golf Clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Desert Hills Golf Course, 1245 W. Desert Hills Drive. About 125 participants have registered for the event.

“Desert Hills Golf Course is proud to be part of this golf clinic, and we look forward to another exciting year,” said Rich Walton, golf pro at Desert Hills Golf Course.

“This is a great way for women to get out, be active, sharpen up their golf game and spread awareness about breast health and breast cancer.”

Walton and other local golf professionals, including Bruce Brown, golf operations manager at Desert Hills Golf Course, and Jim Dodd, director of instruction at Heritage Palms, will be at the event to provide the women with instructions and pointers.

Prizes and raffle items will be awarded, and each participant will receive a goody bag with breast health information and other items plus a subscription to a Condé Nast magazine such as SELF, Golf Digest or Bon Appétit.

Rally events aim to educate women about breast cancer and remind them to get their annual screening to ensure early detection through volunteer organized golf, tennis and social events.

More than 2 million people have participated in Rally events across the nation since its inception in 1996. This year marks the 15th year Desert Hills Golf Course has rallied against breast cancer.

Since its start in 1996, the Rally program has “touched” more than 2 million people with the “important message that early detection saves lives,” according to event chairman Serena Holthaus.

In addition, Rally events have generated over $70 million for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

“The success of Rally is attributed to volunteer ambassadors like Rich Walton, who have said, ‘Yes we can have a Rally at our club.' It is their enthusiasm, energy and support we value in our commitment to support Susan G. Komen,” said Diane Perillo, program manager, Rally for the Cure.

Since 1996 Komen has received more than $70 million from fund-raising activities at Rally events to help fund life-saving breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs. Rally for the Cure is run by Condé Nast and is based in Wilton, Conn.

For more information about the 15th Annual Women's Golf Clinic event, contact Serena Holthaus at sholthaus896@gmail.com or (928) 580-3108.

To host a Rally event, visit www.rallyforthecure.com or call 1-800-327-6811.