FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LPGA GOLF PRO BETH BADER FIGHTS PANCREATIC CANCER WITH BIRDIES
Professional Golfer Committed to Fighting Pancreatic Cancer with “Birdies for a Breakthrough”Awareness
Campaign
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. U.S.A. (March 23,
2004) ― To
fight pancreatic cancer,LPGA professional golfer Beth Bader today
announced Birdies for a Breakthrough, her dynamic and worthwhile
campaign to raise awareness of the 4 th leading cause of cancer
death in the U.S. for men and women. A resident of Eldridge, Iowa,
Bader will raise $5 for every birdie she makes during her participation
in the LPGA Tour 2004. A birdie is a score of one stroke better
than par for any golf hole. Last year, Bader let fly 200 birdies.
Birdies for a breakthrough funds
raised through the campaign will be donated to the Pancreatic Cancer
Action Network (PanCAN), the first national patient-based advocacy
organization for the pancreatic cancer community. Bader created
this campaign in honor of her mother, who was diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer in October 2003.
Corporations and individuals can also take part in Birdies
for a Breakthrough by matching Bader's pledge, naming their own pledge
or by making a donation. A pledge form is available at www.pancan.org or
by calling PanCAN at 310-725-0025.
According to Julie Fleshman, PanCAN’s Executive Director,
the campaign is already off to a swinging start with tremendous
interest and support. Beth has done a remarkable job raising awareness
through this campaign. She even had her golf bag designed with
the PanCAN logo to generate even more awareness while she’s
on the LPGA 2004 tour. We encourage anyone who wants to make a difference
to participate in this worthwhile and fun campaign.”
Bader began her golf career in Iowa, where she won the 1991 Iowa Junior Open, 1991 Des Moines Open and 1992 Waterloo Junior Open. She continued to build her resume with a win at the 1995 Quad City Women's Amateur and a runner-up finish at the Iowa Women's Amateur. As a member and captain of the Iowa State University (ISU) women's golf team, Bader was a medalist at the 1993 Northern Illinois Huskie Invitational and was the team's most valuable player in 1993-94. Bader also was a runner-up at the Big Eight Championship and is the only player from ISU to earn All-Big Eight honors for two years. In 1996, Bader was named ISU's Female Athlete of the Year. Bader started playing golf at the age of 12 and credits her mother and father as the individuals who most influenced her career.
Beth Bader Career Highlights
- In 2002, posted a career-best finish at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, where she tied for fifth; recorded her first career hole-in-one in the first round of the LPGA Corning Classic.
- In 2001, best finish was a tie for 30th at the Williams Championship.
- In 2000, tied for ninth at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn exempt status for the 2001 season.
- From 1997-2000, competed on the Futures Tour, where she posted three top-10 finishes and 12 additional top-25 finishes.
- In 1997, turned professional.
About Pancreatic Cancer
Approximately 31,860 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year in the United States and 31,270 people will die. Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. for men and women, and only 4 percent of patients survive beyond five years. The 99% mortality rate is the highest of any cancer. There is no cure or early detection methods and effective treatment options are extremely limited.
About PanCAN
PanCAN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 by surviving family members of individuals who died of pancreatic cancer. Chartered as a grassroots organization of advocacy for pancreatic cancer patients and their families, PanCAN currently has volunteers and members throughout the United States and around the world. PanCAN is the first, national public-benefit advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community. The organization works to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, and provides public and professional education embracing the urgent need for more research, effective treatments, prevention programs and early detection methods. Visit www.pancan.org to obtain more information, e-mail info@pancan.org, or call 1-877-272-6226.
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Media Contacts:
Aaron Kiel
Public Relations Consultant for PanCAN
Phone: 562-983-8113
Email: akiel@akprgroup.com
Company Contacts:
Julie Fleshman
Executive Director, PanCAN
Phone: 310-725-0025
Email: jfleshman@pancan.org
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