SAN JOSE, Calif., July 16 CA-Testicular-Cancer
SAN JOSE, Calif., July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- To all appearances, Hammer is
just a regular guy, a 39-year-old who works in marketing for a large Bay Area
building materials outfit. But that's just his day job. Off hours, he is
knocking himself out organizing the "4th Annual Have a Ball Golf Tournament
presented by Ariba." The event has become one of the Bay Area's biggest
fundraisers, a cause that helps battle cancer on several fronts.
And he does it, Hammer says, because, "I wanted to find a way to give back
to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It's my way of thanking the foundation for
the birth of my son."
His story began when he was 29 and -- like Armstrong -- diagnosed with
testicular cancer. The extensive chemotherapy he underwent made his hair fall
out, but it didn't dampen his spirit. In 1999, inspired by Lance Armstrong's
battle with testicular cancer, he rode in Armstrong's "Ride for the Roses"
event in Austin, Texas. That's also where he met San Francisco rock DJ Steven
Seaweed (of 107.7 The Bone), who was also an avid cyclist. They became
friends. A few years later, they would join forces to raise money for cancer
awareness, people with cancer and cancer research.
Two years later, in 2001 -- also at an Armstrong "Ride for the Roses" --
Hammer was introduced to Dr. Craig Nichols, the oncologist who in 1996
successfully treated the Tour de France champion for testicular cancer.
Hammer's cancer had returned. At the time he met Dr. Nichols, he had just
completed 26 rounds of chemotherapy and was scheduled to undergo surgery at
Stanford University Medical Center the following week. Nichols listened to
Hammer's account of his condition and treatment and, back in his office in
Portland, Ore. only days later, examined Hammer's medical scans, which led him
to advise against the surgery. Not only would the surgery leave the devoted
family man unable to father another child, because it would have involved
Hammer's spinal cord, there was a risk that Hammer would never walk again.
Nichols believed the chemo had done its job. Hammer decided against the
surgery.
In 2003, Hammer and his wife Kim became the proud and grateful parents of
Joshua -- and their daughter Shayna, now 8, got a baby brother.
In 2005, Hammer and Seaweed, a prostate cancer survivor, inspired by what
Armstrong has called "the obligation of the cured," established the Have a
Ball Foundation and its annual golf tournament to benefit the Lance Armstrong
Foundation. Every July since, the tournament has grown -- with more players,
more sponsors and more money raised. The 2005 tournament, in which 104 golfers
and 82 corporations participated, raised $50,000. The following year, the
tournament raised $78,000. Last year's event raised $131,000. This year, more
than 200 corporations and 300 golfers are boosting the cause and the
tournament will raise more than $185,000.
This year's tournament proceeds will be shared by 15 non-profit
organizations, including the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Major sponsors
include Amgen, Genentech, Fed Ex, AMD, Blue Coat Systems, Chordiant, Miller
Brewing Company, Oakley, Harrah's Tahoe, Royal Lahaina Resort Maui, Carnival
Cruises, ABD Insurance, SanDisk, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines,
Armadillo Willy's, Callaway Golf and Embassy Suites.
SOURCE Have a Ball Foundation
