After losing her sister Mary in 2017 at the young age of 44 to Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Maggie Hoeger wanted to honor her and help in any way she could. Her husband Martin had lost his mother, Pat, in 2004 at the age of 60 to Non Hodgkins Lymphoma after a short battle. The two of them knew they were in a position to help others. They started Take a Swing at Cancer Golf Outing. In it's inaugural year, the event benefitted The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of their fallen loved ones.
After the first year they decided that there were families right here in their own community that needed the help. The next year the focus of the event was switched to just that, neighbors that were fighting a battle with cancer. The hope is to continue to make a positive impact on our community and give a family battling cancer just a little brighter day.
Hunter McCoy Smith came into the world on November 23rd, 2020, at 6 lbs 7oz of perfection, despite being 5 weeks premature. After a blissful 15 days of Hunter’s life he had routine bloodwork and a hearing screening at CHOP Philadelphia. Hunter had no response in his left ear, which prompted him to receive a brain scan immediately. 24 hrs after the brain scan, the Smith family received the most devastating news: at 4 weeks old Hunter had to undergo brain surgery to biopsy a large tumor in the left side of his brain.
On December 22nd, Hunter’s original due date, he was diagnosed with ATRT (Atypical Tertoid Rhabadoid Tumor), a very rare and aggressive brain tumor. It is a germ line mutation case, meaning it could show up in any other parts of his little body, including the spine, liver, pancreas, etc.
At just 5 weeks old, Hunter started to receive heavy chemotherapy. He’s since had 8 rounds of regular chemo, followed by another brain surgery at 6 months old to successfully remove a large portion of the tumor, but unfortunately the rest is inoperable. Hunter has gone through 3 rounds of Hi-Dose chemotherapy and 3 rounds of stem cell transplant. He has also had laser radiation therapy to the left side of his brain. There have been many successful and many failed treatments.
At 20 months old, Hunter is awaiting his next brain scan to determine the current extent of the tumor.
No parent should ever have to watch their child go through such traumatic, painful treatments like Hunter has had to endure, but it is with the help and support of friends, family, therapist, and community that help make these devastating times a little lighter. His family has asked that “if you pray at all, please pray for peace for baby Hunter, and wish him a happy and healthy life.”
Some know him as Danny…Dano…or Hutch, but his favorite name will always be Daddy or Pops.
Danny Hutchison, our loving uncle, brother, nephew, husband, father, grandfather and everyone’s friend, is reaching the end of his journey in life.
These past 5 years, the family has been dealt a tough hand. He suffered a heart attack in 2017, a debilitating stroke in 2019, which put him on permanent disability, and if that weren’t enough, he was diagnosed in 2020 with metastatic melanoma.
We all know and love Danny for his sense of humor and positive spirit! He was always making up silly nicknames, and making us all laugh. However, his greatest joy was being surrounded around the love of his family and the joy of spending time with his wife, 3 wonderful children & twin grandchildren.
But, now we are left with the harsh reality of his cancer, which has spread quite rapidly and aggressively.
Danny and his beautiful family have been surrounded by an army of support from family & friends. But, we realize we all want to be able to do more, and to help in any way possible.
Through the last few years of various medical hurdles and 100s of doctors visits, we realize the burden this can leave on the family. As Marie Pierre, his wife, has needed to take a leave from work, we have decided to establish a Celebration of Life Fund, as Danny enters into Hospice Care.
Every little bit helps… even in a time that seems so incomprehensible. We hope to be able to take care of any additional Medical Expenses, Services, and ultimately, alleviate any financial pressures as the family finds their new normal.
With a heavy heart, we Thank you!
10:30 am Registration starts
11 am Lunch on the patio
12pm Shotgun start
5 pm-7 pm Dinner and drinks at Steam Pub
Play one of the area's greatest courses, Philmont Country Club on October 17th 2022
Give your company or project high visibility by becoming a sponsor of Take a Swing at Cancer. Benefits of sponsorship include features on Steam Pubs social media pages with over 20,000 subscribers. Simply click on the picture to get started.
If you are a single or a foursome. Click on the picture to get your spot to play one of the areas premiere courses.