Cancer Support Center To Host Event With Baseball Hall Of Famer

HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR, IL — The Cancer Support Center will be hosting its 29th annual Golf Outing event on Monday, Sept. 14 at the Idlewild Country Club, 19201 Dixie Hwy, Flossmoor, IL. This event will feature former White Sox catcher and Baseball Hall of Famer, Carlton Fisk, according to a news release from the center.

The center told Patch that Fisk is a regular supporter of the facility and will be stationed at hole nine. The Hall of Famer will be taking photos, signing autographs and getting to know people. If anyone hits a ball closer to the pin than Fisk, they will receive an autographed baseball from the Hall of Famer himself.

According to the release, the cost for this event is $225 for each golfer and includes golf, drinks and dinner. After party dinner tickets are available for $60. Registration for the event begins at 12 p.m. and starts at 1 p.m. There will be a socially distanced BBQ dinner, followed by the after-party at 5:30 p.m. The after-party will feature an open bar, a silent auction which includes a stay at the Cinnamon Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Florida, raffles and live entertainment by Justin Owens Griffins.

The Cancer Support Center is a community-based, volunteer-driven, donor-supported organization, according to the release. They offer programs, resources and services to those who are living with cancer. The center has two locations, 19645 S. LaGrange Road, Mokena and 2028 Elm Road, Homewood.

The release states that the Cancer Support Center continues to provide free programs and services to participants impacted by cancer, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The center provides extensive virtual, online and phone conference programming and counseling. They are open during limited hours for wig appointments and emergency walk-ins.
According to the release, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the center has been unable to maintain fundraising goals that they rely heavily on.

The release says that Cancer Support Center Board Director and Golf Committee Member, Joe Kuchta said that the center is hopeful this event will bring many in to support.

"The golf outing is one of our marquee events every year and this year, now more than ever, it’s more important that we make this event spectacular. There are other events that The Center has been unable to hold, which means that revenue is not able to be generated for The Center’s programs and services we serve to the community," Kuchta said, according to the release.

This year, local industry leader, Mi-Jack Products, will be sponsoring a Ball Drop fundraiser. Numbered balls will be dropped from a Mi-Jack crane – and the closest ball to the pin wins gift cards valued at $250, according to the release.

Balls can be purchased for $20 per ball or $100 for six balls. This portion of the event will be on Facebook live.

Jimmy Lanigan, Mi-Jack Products Director of Economic Development and a board member of the center says the center is needed now more than ever during these "uncertain times."

"We’re proud to continue our 20 year plus relationship with The Cancer Support Center by sponsoring this year’s golf Ball Drop from our 40-foot man lift," Lanigan said according to the release. "Their holistic approach for cancer patients, their families, caregivers, and even medical staff is second to none."

For additional information, call The Cancer Support Center, (708) 798-9171.