Topgolf Tournament for Myotonic Dystrophy
This spring, the Dillon family (Paul, Sara, Katelynn and Patrick) and friends spearheaded a new MDF tradition – a Topgolf fundraiser! The event took place in Columbus, Ohio on March 1, 2020 in celebration of Rare Disease Day, and included a fun-filled golf tournament, brunch, and raffle for over 150 participants. This year’s FUN-draiser had two ultimate goals: 1) to improve access to patient care, and 2) accelerate research toward a cure for myotonic dystrophy (DM). Thanks to the generous support of an incredible network of friends, family, community members, sponsors, and donors, the 2020 Topgolf Tournament for MDF raised nearly $33,000! Find all the photos from the Tournament on Facebook!
The Dillon Family
The Dillon's personal connection to MDF started when their son, Patrick, was diagnosed with DM as a result of complications with his club feet. Since then Patrick’s sister, mother, grandmother, and five other extended relatives (and counting) have been diagnosed. This is not the Dillon's first fundraising rodeo. Since Patrick’s diagnosis in May 2018, they have been active in the DM community by fundraising on Facebook, raising awareness about DM with Ohio State University, participating in clinical trials, and more.
Thankful for Overwhlming Support
Last week, the MDF team sat down with the event organizers, Paul Dillon, Allison Harrison, Heidi Bostelman and Julie Haar, to reflect on the success of the event and share lessons learned. "The overwhelming support of so many friends and family was truly amazing to see. Our family feels very fortunate to have the support of such a caring and generous community,” shared Paul.
Allison, who was also one of the event's premier sponsors, echoed Paul's thoughts, mentioning that the event, “far exceeded my expectations of what we thought we could do to raise awareness and funds for myotonic dystrophy research,” and that she was “amazed at the outpouring of support.” Following this year’s event, the next Topgolf Tournament for MDF is sure to be one for the books! There is no doubt this was just the first of what promises to become a long tradition, sure to draw a crowd of well over two hundred attendees in 2021.
Congratulations to "Slicers, not Hookers"!
MDF and the Topgolf Tournament planning team would like to congratulate the winning team, “Slicers, not Hookers” (Abbie and Rick Green, Nick and Marcy Bloom, Jay Myers, and Tracy Reimbold), and would like to thank everyone who participated for making this year such a success.
Special thanks to the event sponsors: Allison L. Harrison Law, LLC, Proforma Strategic Promotions, Acoustic Ceiling & Partition of Ohio, RBC Wealth Management, Ed & Eileen Dillon, and of course Topgolf!
Save the Date
We hope you can make it out to the range for next year's Tournament on February, 28, 2021!
Ready to Start Your Own Event?
Are you interested in hosting a fundraiser for Care and a Cure? MDF is here to help! Send us an email at development@myotonic.org for more information.