Fight Fore Cancer Event Benefits Prostate Cancer Research
By: Shannon Kroskie Smith
Rick Tucci’s relationship with golf was intimate and profound. While working as a Professional Golfers’ Association of America golf professional, Rick, alongside his father, close family members, dedicated friends, and a great staff, transformed their second-generation family dairy farm into a new 18-hole golf course – Country Meadows Golf Course in Venango. Rick and his wife, Gail, made it their life’s work.
Through Rick’s profession and course ownership, his experience with hosting and organizing golf events was extensive. It became a much more personal endeavor in 2012 when Rick and Gail hosted the first Fight Fore Cancer Golf Outing. Initially, the outing was established to pay forward the financial support Rick received as a prostate cancer patient. Rick’s cancer journey led him to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside under the care of Dr. Lenoard Appleman. After learning about the cutting-edge research Dr. Appleman and his team were doing, Rick decided to redirect the golf outing proceeds to help find a cure for prostate cancer.
Unfortunately, Rick lost his battle with cancer in the fall of 2019, and the spring of 2020 was a difficult time for Gail and her two teenage sons. Gail was apprehensive about organizing Fight Fore Cancer without her husband, especially during the pandemic. With the full encouragement of family, friends, and golf enthusiasts, Gail persevered and Fight Fore Cancer didn’t miss a beat.
Gail readily admits that the event wouldn’t happen without the help of others. Holly Adams is a long-time friend and employee of Country Meadows who goes above and beyond her regular responsibilities each year by personally contributing to the event. Holly is joined by a host of returning volunteers who wear multiple hats before, during, and after the event, including leading the various games on the course, such as longest putt and closest to the pin.
Gail feels fortunate to have great sponsorship from her vendors, business partners, friends, and family. “Many of the people are cancer survivors or dealing with their health journeys,” Gail said. “It is more than just a golf outing.”
One of the regular participants is Dr. Appleman, who often brings family and colleagues to the event. Dr. Appleman’s involvement doesn’t end on the golf course; he also provides lunchtime entertainment by playing his guitar.
“Each year, I look forward to participating in the event and seeing Gail and her children as well as my teammates and old friends,” Dr. Appleman said.
Gail’s appreciation for Rick’s care at UPMC Hillman extends well beyond Dr. Appleman.
“Everyone at Hillman was so kind. They made Rick feel as comfortable as possible during his visits. We felt like everyone took the time to get to know our family,” she recalled.
Now entering its 12th year, the Fight Fore Cancer event has a well-established group of returning golfers and a local reputation for being a well-run, fun cancer benefit. Annual proceeds of the event exceed $10,000.
The proceeds from the events go towards prostate cancer research. Specifically, the funds currently support a clinical trial to treat the most aggressive prostate cancers with a combination of medicines before surgery.