Union Members Tee Off in Honor of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day

PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 18, 2014)—Union workers from around the region will team up with the members of the Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local 14 – with the help of Stephen F. Pettit, the organization’s Business Manager – for the 20th Annual Mesothelioma Golf Outing on Friday, September 26 at Philmont Country Club (301 Tomlinson Road in Huntingdon Valley, PA). The golf outing, which takes place on National

Mesothelioma Awareness Day, raises money for mesothelioma research at Fox Chase Cancer Center. To date, the event has raised more than $2 million. Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the lining of the chest or abdomen. It is directly related to the inhalation of loose asbestos fibers, putting those that work with asbestos and their families at high-risk for the disease.

In an effort to support research of and hopefully in the future eradicate the disease, Pat Eiding, President of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO and Local 14 leadership and members – along with support from the family of longtime member Hank Vaughn, who died from mesothelioma in 1991 – established the Annual Mesothelioma Golf Outing. The funds raised by Local 14 specifically support the work of researchers like Joseph R. Testa, PhD, Carol & Kenneth E. Weg Chair in Human Genetics and Chair of the Mesothelioma Working Group at Fox Chase, whose research looks at the role of hereditary and somatic mutations in malignant mesothelioma.  

The event offers participants a filled day with fun and friendly competition for a great cause. Those attending will enjoy lunch, a shotgun scramble, cocktails, dinner and prizes. Registration for the event is $225 per golfer, with all proceeds benefitting Fox Chase Cancer Center.  For more information or to register, contact Bev Maccari at 215-289-4303 or [email protected].

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

For more information, call 888-369-2427

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

For more information, call 888-369-2427