2001 Loma Linda University Proton Charity Invitational raises $100,000, bringing endowment fund to $1.7 million

With each passing year and each Loma Linda University Proton Charity Invitational, hope increases for people with cancer and other diseases that can be treated with protons.

This year's Invitational brought in approximately $100,000. The Loma Linda University Ken Venturi Proton Therapy Cancer Research Endowment now totals $1.7 million.

All proceeds from the Invitational support cancer research that impacts patient treatments with proton radiation therapy. Loma Linda investigators are also researching non-cancer applications for proton therapy.

"Our Proton Charity Invitational, hosted by Ken Venturi and John Cook, contributes enormously to proton research and to general goodwill of all participants, who commonly say that this is the best golf tournament they have ever partici-

pated in," says James M. Slater, MD, FACR, chair, department of radiation medicine. "For this, we thank all of our participants, including Morningside leadership and staff, our department of radiation medicine staff, players, and hosts Ken and John."

The Loma Linda University Proton Charity Invitational drew 120 players to The Club at Morningside in Rancho Mirage this year.

Invitational host Ken Venturi and Invitational advisor John Cook presented a golf clinic before the tournament. During the tournament, the two golfers stopped to have a photograph taken with each participant.

Since becoming a professional golfer in 1979, Mr. Cook has won 10 PGA golf tournaments.

Mr. Venturi, sports golf analyst and announcer for CBS television, has been involved with the Invitational since it began in 1991.

Mr. Venturi also recently completed treatment for prostate cancer at the Proton Treatment Center.

"This tournament is very special to me. I don't even call it a tournament--I call it getting together to give back," Mr. Venturi said during the awards luncheon. "I've been out there and it's fabulous--Loma Linda, what they do. When you talk about giving back, they should have a picture of Loma Linda and all the people that work there. Today I take my hat off to you."

In appreciation for Mr. Venturi's and Mr. Cook's continuing commitment to the Proton Treatment Center, they were each presented with a gift of Waterford crystal.

The Invitational continues to be held at The Club at Morningside, the first Jack Nicklaus "signature" course in the desert.