For a decade, The Putt Away Cancer Foundation has had a front-row seat to some of the most incredible displays of human spirit. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we find ourselves looking back at the faces, the tears, the laughs, and the unbreakable bonds formed in the heat of the battle. We have seen a specific kind of power that doesn’t always make headlines, but it certainly changes lives. We call it “Quiet Strength.”
Quiet strength is the one who smiles at their children even when their body is weary from treatment. Quiet strength is the caregiver who researches clinical trials late into the night. Quiet strength is the survivor who reaches back to hold the hand of the woman just receiving her diagnosis. The Putt Away Cancer Foundation seeks to honor this strength today. The Putt Away Cancer Foundation desires to elevate these voices. The Putt Away Cancer Foundation believes that through sharing these lessons, we spread HOPE to everyone listening.
Ten Years of Watching HOPE Grow
When we started the original Putt Away Cancer Banquet back in May 2015, we knew we wanted to make a difference. We didn’t realize how much the people we served would end up changing us. Over the last ten years, we have learned that HOPE is not just a feeling; it is a discipline. It is a choice made every single morning.
In these ten years, we have seen people of all colors, backgrounds, and ages come together. They show us that while cancer is a thief, it cannot steal the community we build. The Putt Away Cancer Foundation has watched as strangers became sisters. The Putt Away Cancer Foundation has witnessed the power of a simple gift bag or a kind word to spark a fire of resilience. This is why we do what we do. This is why LIFE is worth celebrating even in the middle of the storm.
The Lesson of Self-Advocacy: Finding Your Voice
One of the greatest lessons we have gathered from the women in our community is the importance of self-advocacy. In the cancer world, your voice is one of your most powerful tools. We have seen warriors like Leilani and our own founder, Marissa, navigate the complexities of the medical system with grace and determination.
YOU must be your own best advocate. YOU have the right to ask questions. YOU have the right to seek second opinions. The women we have walked alongside for ten years have taught us that being “quiet” in strength doesn’t mean being silent in your care. It means having the steady, unwavering resolve to ensure your needs are met. This lesson has saved lives. It has turned “victims” into “warriors.”
The Silent Pillars: The Strength of the Caregiver
We cannot talk about the strength of women without honoring the caregivers. Often, these are the mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who provide the foundation upon which recovery is built. They are the ones who manage the schedules, the meals, and the emotional weight of a household while a loved one fights for their LIFE.
The Putt Away Cancer Foundation recognizes that the caregiver’s journey is often walked in the shadows. We have seen mothers sitting in waiting rooms, their faces etched with a FAITH that surpasses understanding. We have seen daughters stepping up to lead when their mothers need to rest. These women embody the “Together We Can” spirit that defines our foundation. Their strength is the glue that keeps families whole.
FAITH Over Fear: The Spiritual Resilience
In our ten years, we have seen that FAITH is often the bridge between a diagnosis and a breakthrough. This isn’t just about religion; it’s about a deep, internal knowing that YOU are not alone. The women of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation carry a FAITH that is contagious.
We see it in the “Circle of HOPE” Awards Brunch, where the atmosphere is thick with a sense of purpose. We see it in the way our board members and volunteers pray over every application and every gift. This FAITH allows women to look at a difficult prognosis and still find a reason to smile. It allows them to embrace LIFE with a fullness that many people never achieve. When YOU choose FAITH over fear, the landscape of your battle changes.
Community as Medicine
If there is one thing the last decade has proven, it is that isolation is the enemy of healing. The Putt Away Cancer Foundation strives to provide a space where no woman has to walk this path by herself. We have seen that when women gather, magic happens.
Whether it is at a golf simulator event or a formal banquet, the connection is the point. The laughter shared over a “Putt Away” shirt is just as medicinal as any treatment. We have learned that:
- Strength is multiplied when it is shared;
- Grief is divided when others help carry the load;
- Joy is amplified when we celebrate each other’s wins;
- HOPE is fueled by the success stories of those who went before us.
Lessons in Resilience: It Is Okay to Not Be Okay
Part of the “Quiet Strength” we admire is the honesty to admit when things are hard. Over ten years, we have learned that true resilience isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about acknowledging the pain and then choosing to take the next step anyway.
The Putt Away Cancer Foundation desires to create a safe harbor for these honest moments. We have seen women cry in each other’s arms and then stand up to continue their advocacy. We have seen the beauty in the struggle. This teaches us that LIFE is not defined by the absence of pain, but by how we carry ourselves through it. YOU are allowed to have bad days. YOU are allowed to be tired. Your strength is found in your persistence, not your perfection.
The Next 10 Years: Our Commitment to YOU
As we look toward the future, The Putt Away Cancer Foundation is more committed than ever to supporting the warriors in our community. We have seen the impact of the “HOPE AWARD” and the difference a small gesture of financial or emotional support can make. We seek to expand our reach and touch more lives than ever before.
The Putt Away Cancer Foundation seeks to:
- Establish new partnerships to provide more resources for warriors;
- Promote early detection and health monitoring through community events;
- Develop deeper mentorship programs for newly diagnosed women;
- Provide a continuous stream of HOPE through our digital and in-person platforms.
How YOU Can Be Part of the Story
The quiet strength of women has fueled this foundation for a decade, and YOU can help us fuel the next one. Whether YOU are a survivor with a story to tell, a caregiver looking for support, or someone who simply wants to give back, there is a place for YOU here.
The Putt Away Cancer Foundation desires to invite YOU to be a part of our mission. YOU can apply for the “HOPE AWARD” or nominate a warrior in your life. YOU can join us at our next event and see the power of community in person. YOU can donate to ensure that we can continue providing these vital resources for years to come.
Scan the QR code above or visit puttawaycancer.org to learn more about how you can get involved. Together, we can continue to celebrate the quiet strength that defines our community. Together, we can ensure that HOPE, FAITH, and LIFE are always at the forefront of the fight.
Ten years has taught us that women are the heartbeat of the cancer community. Their strength is quiet, but its impact is deafening. Let’s keep putting away cancer, one swing and one sister at a time. ⛳️✨
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