King
June 03, 2008 12:51 PM
By: Sean Pearce, Staff Writer
Someone will win the tournament, but three charities will come out on top as a result of this year’s King Township Mayor’s Charity Golf Challenge.
The 12th annual event tees off at Cardinal Golf Club July 17 starting with registration at 10 a.m. Proceeds from this year’s event go to the Easter Seal Society of York Region, Brandan’s Eye Research Fund and the Township of King Community Assistance Program.
Brandan Cescolini, the namesake of Brandan’s Eye Research Fund at the SickKids Foundation, was on hand at the event preview. He was joined by this year’s Brandan’s Eye Research Fund ambassador, Bradley Vail.
The charity was created after Brandan, then three months old, became blind after developing bilateral cataracts. After surgery by Dr. Alex Levin at the Hospital For Sick Children in Toronto, Brandan remained legally blind, but could see using bifocal lenses.
During his recovery, Brandan acquired glaucoma, a condition that can lead to blindness and, because there is no cure, requires constant treatment. The fund was developed by Brandan’s family to further research into vision disabilities.
Bradley’s story is similar. He, too, was born with a cataract and missing the red reflex in his right eye. Bradley, like Brandon, had surgery to remove the affected lens and now has glaucoma in his right eye and is receiving constant care.
Bradley also has retinal dystrophy in both eyes, but his parents hope through the efforts of the research fund, a cure will be found.
Aside from helping worthy causes, the tournament aims to give the environment a helping hand, too. The township is partnering with Bullfrog Power and other groups to offset the event’s energy usage, King Mayor Margaret Black said.
Visit king.ca or e-mail tbarresi@king.ca for more information on the event, to register or to become a sponsor.