Our Founders
MARISSA MCKINNIES, FOUNDER
Marissa McKinnies is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University with a B.B.S.in Psychology/Sociology and Master of Public Administration from Capella University. She has begun blogging and is also a novice Author that just completed her first self-help book currently sold on Amazon “Finding Her: Rediscovering the Beauty of Your Reflection.” Marissa discovered her passion as a former employee at University Health System’s Funded Programs, where she worked under the CPRIT Grant (Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas). Her tenure there included assisting women within low income communities to obtain free mammograms and/or assistance with treatment if they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Marissa finds fulfillment in encouraging, motivating, and educating anyone she meets to be proactive in their annual health screenings and loving themselves enough to be vigilant about their emotional and spiritual health. As the Founder of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation, she continues to advocate for the cancer community. Marissa has been a proud member of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, for the last 2 years, where she lobbies for the needs and rights of cancer warriors.
Marissa witnessed Cancer wreak havoc on the lives of many since her childhood. Her paternal grandmother would succumb to ovarian cancer at the vibrant age of 57. She then had other family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers battle many different forms of cancer. But she became more acutely aware of the severity of cancer once her sister was diagnosed with an aggressive form of ovarian cancer, at the tender age of 30. At the age of 33 her sister battled her first round of Colon and diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer at the age of 37.
Being a woman of research, Marissa began to seek information on all things cancer. She sought out cancer resources such as programs that would help cancer patients and their families care for their medical, financial, and emotional needs related to the disease. She quickly learned that the battle isn’t just a physical battle for the patient, but also an emotional battle for the families. To show her support, in May 2015 she decided to host a benefit for her birthday to raise funds for the American Cancer Society by hosting a “Putt Away Cancer” banquet. That event was actually the beginning of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation; an official 501(c)3 birthed in December 2016. She then hosted the first “Putt Away Cancer” miniature Golf event in September 2016 raising funds to help meet a financial need Cancer Warriors endure.
Putt Away Cancer started off as an event but has since turned into a movement. Ms. McKinnies states, “Cancer is an unfortunate link that binds us together. We all know someone that has been affected by this horrible disease, if we ourselves were not. Cancer does not discriminate nor does it have a respect of geographical location. Therefore, The Putt Away Cancer Foundation is designed to take a united stand against cancer and make a difference in the lives of cancer warriors, especially for my sister.”
EMAIL: mmckinnies@puttawaycancer.com
LEILANI DAVIS, CO-FOUNDER
Leilani Davis, also known as “The Face” of the Foundation is the inspiration behind our existence. She a wife of 20 years to her husband Edmond Davis and the mother of 4 children and 3 step-children. Her Career included a lead position with USAA one of Asset Management’s Top Supervisors for many years. Leilani was at the Top of her career before she was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer in 2009 and has since battled with colon and cervical cancer as well.
Leilani is the Chairperson of the Board and Co-Founder of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation. She and her sister, Marissa McKinnies, have decided to take a united stand against the emotional and spiritual war Cancer Wages on a person suffering this disease. It is her battle that inspires others to continue their fight. She has been diagnosed as Stage 4 Metastatic Cancer and will continue to live our her days sharing her smile and prayers with others. If you ask her the secret behind her smile she will answer, “I have cancer but cancer does not have me. I have the power to decide how I will allow it to affect my life. And I’ve decided to let cancer give me the inspiration to be a light for others that have been diagnosed. I want to help them because I know firsthand that We need all the help we can get. So while I can, I will give of my time, energy, and prayers to help make a difference for other cancer warriors.”
EMAIL: ldavis@puttawaycancer.com