We created the JFK Tower golf tournament as a way to help our daughter overcome the battles of her life, while also providing friends and co-workers with an enjoyable outing on the golf course in support of a great cause.

History was once described as a series of incidents, some fortunate and some not fortunate, that when compiled relate a memorable event or events. My most memorable event was the birth of my oldest daughter Rachel on May 1, 1999. All new parents know that the arrival of children bring dramatic changes, and my wife Deborah and I fully expected our lives to be very different once we had children.. We approached the birth of our first child with great anticipation as well as with large amounts of trepidation. No amount of planning, though, could prepare us for the changes and challenges that lay ahead.

From the first minute Rachel was alive she has had to battle the odds, because she was born with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). PH is a horrible, incurable disease that makes climbing a flight of stairs feel like climbing a mountain. Running is measured in feet, not miles, and Rachel knows more medical terms at age five than most people learn in a lifetime. PH meant Rachel learned to walk carrying a backpack that weighed fifteen percent of her bodyweight. It means never wanting to eat too much because a full stomach makes it hard to breath. It means learning to swim with a waterproof case to hold her medicine and knowing when you get out of the pool mom and dad have to take the 3x5 band aid off your chest so you don’t get a central line infection. PH means having to ask your parents, “why me”?

If Rachel has to face these challenges daily and many more obstacles in the future, I thought the least thing I could do was raise awareness about this disease and raise money for research and advocacy that will ultimately help her and others affected by PH. Out of a father’s love for his daughter and a personal enjoyment of golf came the JFK Tower Golf Tournament. I could not have succeeded without tremendous help from my family, friends and co-workers. I will again rely on them this year and I’m sure in the years to come to ensure the success of the event.

I judge the success of the tournament in many ways. The most obvious being the amount of money raised. Almost as important was a comment relayed to me after the first tournament, which was “This is the first time I’ve been to one of these and I actually feel really good about what I did!” Statements like that and Rachel’s excitement about “Her” golf tournament are what keep me going to ensure each year is better than the previous one.

Please, find the time to come out, have a great day of fun and support wonderful charities.