NCAA News Archive - 2010

back to 2010 | Back to NCAA News Archive Index

    • Print
    Montana State-Billings adds to cancer awareness effort

    Mar 16, 2010 9:11:35 AM


    The NCAA News

     

    Montana State-Billings is hosting a Putt for the Cure golf tournament Thursday and Friday to benefit pancreatic cancer research.

    Eighteen teams will compete in the fund-raiser designed to assist America's largest nonprofit foundation dedicated solely to pancreatic cancer research—the Lustgarten Foundation.

    The Lustgarten Foundation provides research for better diagnostics and treatment for pancreatic cancer, which is America's fourth-leading cause of cancer death. 

    Montana State-Billings golf coach Shawn O'Brien lost his father to pancreatic cancer in May 2009. Former NCAA President Myles Brand also died of the disease last September.

    "My dad's experience made me aware of how fast-acting this disease is and how important it is to find it early, before it spreads," O'Brien said. "I thought having a Putt for the Cure campaign during our golf tournament would create awareness among our student-athletes. By being involved in this effort, our athletes will reach beyond the issues they encounter every day. They'll also have an opportunity to do something to benefit an organization uniquely positioned to lead the way toward diagnosis, treatment, cure and prevention of pancreatic cancer."

    O'Brien developed his idea after learning of Indiana University's campaign to create an endowed faculty chair in cancer research to commemorate Brand. 

    "I think what Indiana University has done is spectacular," O'Brien said. "Funds that are raised from Putt for the Cure will help assist the Lustgarten Foundation. Our goal is to raise $5,000 for them. Our student-athletes have done a great job of getting individuals and community members to donate toward this worthy cause."

    Anyone wishing to donate or to learn more about Putt for the Cure may contact Shawn O'Brien at 307/689-3425 or shawn.obrien3@msubillings.edu.  For additional information on the Lustgarten Foundation, visit http://www.lustgarten.org.