TeamGFC Heroes – Golf Fights Cancer

OUR FEATURED HEROES

Tim & maureen mccarthy

As two of our best ambassadors, Tim & Maureen McCarthy generously volunteer their time to represent Golf Fights Cancer at The Northeast Golf Show. Interacting with hundreds of potential supporters who walked by the GFC booth, Tim and Maureen were eager to share our mission and impact and offer unique ways for golfers to get involved.

team ellie

Leading a 4-person team comprised of her sisters, Taryn and Michelle, and her close friend, Melanie, Lisa Kavalieros trained, fundraised, and completed the Boston Marathon in memory of her daughter, Ellie, in support of children diagnosed with DIPG/DMG. Raising $100,000 towards research for this always-fatal cancer, Team Ellie remains committed to funding ground-breaking clinical trial.

Taylor thompson, josh kalita & isabel moore

After years of volunteering for GFC as emerging professionals, Josh Kalita, Isabel Moore & Taylor Thompson were inspired to host a Young Professionals fundraiser in the Jacksonville area. Josh, Isabel and Taylor led the planning efforts for a festive evening of music and philanthropy, introducing many of their friends and colleagues to GFC and the contagious power of giving back.

teddy dreyer and william goldstein

During these unprecedented times, it is humbling when you realize there is plenty of good in the world. Two of our younger fundraisers – Teddy and William – played 100 holes at our Golf Marathon in memory of William’s Grandmother who passed away in 2020 and in honor of Teddy’s Mom who is a cancer survivor. This dynamic duo came together to make a difference for others and raised $14,000. Thank you boys for leading the way and showing us that no matter how old you are, it is possible to make a change in the world.

david sullivan

If you had told David Sullivan a few years ago he would run two Boston Marathons for TeamGFC, he wouldn’t have believed it. David has worked extremely hard to lose over 100 pounds through a combination of diet and exercise – primarily running. Much of his inspiration comes from his niece, Kiley, who was diagnosed with stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer of the soft tissue, when she was only 5 years old. Remarkably, Kiley is currently beating the odds for those diagnosed with her type of cancer. David runs for her and all those affected by cancer – specifically for those affected by childhood cancer. We are thrilled to have him on our Marathon Team and are constantly inspired by his positivity and ever present smile.

matt keiser

Matt Keiser will always be remembered as a true GFC hero. A corporate lawyer from Arlington, Virginia, Matt was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer and with word of his diagnosis, he decided to use this news to raise much-needed funds to bring smiles to the faces of children at pediatric summer camps. He used his diagnosis as a rally cry against cancer. We will never forget how Matt’s fighting spirit and passion made a powerful impact on the lives of cancer patients and their families.

Glenn Kelly

Simply put, Glenn Kelly is a humble hero! For more than a decade running, Glenn continues to be a one-man crusade for GFC. As the club professional at Woods Hole Golf Club in Falmouth MA, Glenn undertakes a marathon fundraising effort in celebration of and as tribute to his parents, who had both been touched by cancer. Glenn has single-handedly raised more than $200,000 in the fight against cancer!

Maria Abreu

Meet Dr. Maria Abreu, small in stature, big in impact. Maria is a multi-time cancer survivor, multi-time Boston Marathon fundraiser, and a difference-maker in all areas of her life. Maria’s fundraising efforts have provided for cold cap treatments to allow women to retain their hair during chemotherapy. GFC heroes come in all shapes and sizes!

Ryan McGuire

As a kindergartner, Ryan participated in his first golf marathon to honor a fellow classmate who had recently passed from DIPG, a type of pediatric brain cancer. Ryan inspired giving from across the country and around the globe. Now in middle school and still raising funds to honor his friend’s legacy, Ryan gives testament to how golfers of any age can make a difference.

john dias and
jimmy yonchak

For the past twelve years, Jimmy and John have participated in our annual Golf Marathon, collectively raising $175,000+ from family, friends and colleagues. Their love of golf and commitment to the cause is on display for all to see when they are first to arrive on ‘game day’ to continue their tradition of facing off for six 18-hole matches. We applaud their competitive spirit, which transcends daylight, monsoons, and body aches and pains. Both believe that these challenges are small compared to the demands that come with a cancer diagnosis.

ted fischer

Ted Fischer is a “Good Guy” in every sense of the word. Not only has he hosted our annual “Good Guy Invitational” twice, he was also instrumental in establishing The Richard A. Browning Research Fund at RI Hospital in memory of his good friend. Teddy has run 5 Boston Marathons with TeamGFC, raising over $150,000! He’s back again this year, training in some of the most challenging conditions ever. For all these reasons and more, Teddy Fischer is one of our heroes.

craig and maureen fitzgerald

Craig and Maureen Fitzgerald have long cheered on countless Boston Marathon runners from their home alongside the marathon course. Inspired to get off the sidelines and into the race, Craig (’12, ’13, ’14) and Maureen (’14) have been powerful fundraisers for GFC as well, raising more than $50,000!

chris coghlin

Chris Coghlin has made an incredible mark in his first Golf Marathon! Inspired by his father, Jim Coghlin, Sr., the founder of DetecTogether, Chris has set fundraising records! The Coghlin family has made it their mission to educate as many people as possible – including members of the firefighting community – that early detection of cancer is key to better survival rates and we applaud Chris for his stalwart efforts and his partnership with GFC.