Val Skinner Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of LIFE Hitting Nearly US$13 Million Raised for Breast Cancer Initiatives
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-06-18
WEST CALDWELL, New Jersey — Nearly 26 years after the death of fellow LPGA golfer Heather Farr, Val Skinner remains driven to eradicate breast cancer. For the 20th year, Skinner, LPGA players and supporters gathered today to honor the memory of Farr and raise more than US$500,000 for breast cancer education, research and awareness at the LIFE (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Cancer) Event at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, NJ. The Val Skinner Foundation has now raised nearly US$13 million.
Skinner named Farr, who died from breast cancer at the age of 28 in 1993, as the 2019 LIFE Hero and recognized Dr. Deborah Toppmeyer, chief medical officer at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, as a LIFE Champion for her ongoing dedication to treating breast cancer patients and working to eradicate the disease through education, research and prevention efforts.
“I’ll never forget the impact that Heather had on all of us on the LPGA Tour,” said Skinner. “We couldn’t believe someone so vibrant could be taken so soon. That has driven me – and my fellow LPGA pros – to be a part of finding a cure.
“I’m sure Heather would have loved Dr. Toppmeyer and their shared passion for life and will to win,” added Skinner. “I’m honored to consider Dr. Toppmeyer a friend and to see the impact she has daily working with breast cancer patients and looking to the future for cures.”
Toppmeyer joined Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, in 1995. She serves as the Director of the Stacy Goldstein Breast Cancer Center and the LIFE Center, which was established in 2002 with funds from Skinner’s Foundation. Skinner presented US$500,000 to the Rutgers Cancer Institute LIFE Center today, bringing her 20-year total of donations to Rutgers Cancer Institute to more than US$5 million.
“The Val Skinner Foundation has been a driving force in supporting the needs of young women with breast cancer and creating awareness about breast health. For 20 years, Val’s dedication has resulted in the ability for the LIFE Center to offer enhanced clinical services, educational components and research support that touch the lives of so many. We at Rutgers Cancer Institute congratulate Val for her amazing work and are extremely grateful for her long time, continued support,” said Toppmeyer.
Skinner played on the LPGA Tour for 21 years, won six times, spent seven years ranked in the top 15 in the world and is a member of three golf Halls of Fame. She has received numerous awards for her advocacy for breast cancer research. Skinner competes on the Legends Tour and worked for more than 12 years with the Golf Channel. The Val Skinner Foundation LIFE Event is one of the largest single-day breast cancer fundraisers in the country.
More information can be found at www.valskinnerfoundation.org.