By Vicki Prichard
NKyTribune reporter
When illness strikes, a woman can always count on her girlfriends to circle the wagons — or, in some instances, the golf carts.
Rally for the Cure 2016 participants from left to right are, Mary Jo List, Stephanie Murdock, Amy Beck, Dale Silver, and Cassie Forrester (provided photos).
When Martha Barnes was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2005, her friends Joyce Caller and Kristy Knobloch wanted to host a golf outing to raise money for breast cancer research.
Barnes, along with her sister Amy Beck, played in the golf outing and the two were so touched by the event that they asked if they could organize the outing the following year. In 2006, 80 golfers participated in the Rally for the Cure, and by the third year the event sold out.
So, on August 23 the 12th Annual Rally for the Cure Annual Golf Outing — already sold out with 148 golfers — will take place at Twin Oaks Golf & Plantation Club in Covington.
The outing has had a special meaning for Barnes. Not only, she says, did two of her dear friends create the event in her honor to raise funds to support a cure, but it’s especially meaningful because of her sister Amy’s support.
“Like Nancy Brinker, Susan G. Komen’s sister, Amy continues to show her love by her ongoing support,” says Barnes. “I think it’s easy to participate in a 5K walk, or make a donation when you’re initially diagnosed, but to continue the commitment well into years takes a special love.”
Barnes says she’s always felt a special bond with her sister — an identical twin — but feels she’s taken that bond to a higher level.
“I’m so grateful for her love and dedication to finding a cure for the disease,” says Barnes.
Each year, the outing adds new events to create more fun and raise valuable dollars. Lucky foursomes, mystery bags, and cart decorating contests are just a few of the activities included in the outing.
Two years ago, Barnes and Beck thought it would be great to have a pink golf cart for the event. Twin Oaks provided a cart and the sisters had it professionally painted through Walther Auto Body, which donated the paint and labor. Each year, a breast cancer survivor is chosen to drive the cart during the golf outing to honor those affected by the disease.
Survivors gather and celebrate at Twin Oaks Golf & Plantation Club in Covington for Rally for the Cure
Beck says the community at large has been generous with a broad range of donations. Companies and individuals have provided gift certificates, products and services, as well as monetary gifts, to be an event or hole sponsor. The outing, she says, would not be a success without the work of the committee and volunteers.
Golfers who have survived the breast cancer battle are honored at the Rally for the Cure. Each one is presented with a bouquet of flowers during the awards ceremony and a survivor is selected to start the outing by driving onto the first tee while the crowd watches.
“The impact of the outing is immeasurable,” says Barnes. “We know that all the pink — pink golf flags and pink tee markers on the course, pink specialty drinks pink sweet treats, and pink decorations on golf carts in the reception hall, and pink attire all bring awareness to the cause.”
But there is also educational information available, and survivors share their stories with old and new friends throughout the day.
“One such story is of a longtime participant who was listening to the program during lunch last year, and remembered she had not made her annual mammogram appointment,” says Barnes. “So she seized the moment and called during the program to make the appointment. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but the good news is she was able to get treatment and is doing well. She will be among other survivors playing in the outing on the 23rd.
Event and hole sponsorships are still available, as is the opportunity to donate items for the Rally for the Cure silent auction and basket raffles. For more information, contact Martha Barnes at mandkbarnes@fuse.net, or Amy Beck at awbeck@twc.com.
