Baylor Alumni Join To Help Former Letterman
4/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 5, 2001
An Extra-Special Announcement with a foreward by Coach Teaff
Friday, April 27, 2001
Heather Run Golf and Country Club
Waco, Texas
"Seldom in life do we get an opportunity for a true win-win. The First Annual Cary Ward Gold Classic provides this opportunity. The first win is that we are honoring an outstanding young man who I had privilege of coaching at Baylor University. Character, integrity, effort and a positive effort are the words that I would use to describe Cary.
The second win is that we are able to focus the spotlight on Huntington's disease. The more we are aware of such debilitating diseases, the better chance we have to conquer them.
The third win is that this golf classic will raise needed funds to benefit the Huntington Disease Society of America, which provides research and hope for the eventual cure of Huntington's disease."
-- Grant Teaff
A Disease of Mind and Body
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a hereditary brain disorder which results in the gradual loss of control over both the body and the mind.
A Family Disease
HD is hereditary. Each child of an HD parent has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the disease and is said to be at risk. If the gene is inherited, the person will eventually develop the disease and can pass the gene on to the next generation. If the HD gene is not inherited, the person will be free of HD and cannot pass the gene on to his or her children. The HD gene does not skip a generation. HD does not discriminate. It crosses all age, sex, ethnic, national and economic boundaries.
Research
Research is the key to the cure. In 1993, scientists discovered the gene that causes HD. The discovery has allowed a new understanding of what causes the symptoms. New drugs are presently being tested which could lead to effective treatments. In the late 1990s, several important discoveries were made that lead to optimism for the future management, treatment, and eventual cure for HD.
One of our lettermen, Cary Ward, has been diagnosed with this little-known disorder, Huntington's disease. Cary was a football player at Baylor in the early and mid 1980s. His teammates have rallied to his cause, raising money to fund research to develo effective treatments that will hopefully lead to a cure.
Many of our former football players came to Waco on March 23 to participate in the annual football players golf tournament. This is a weekend that former players look forward to all year. That opportunity is to play a little serious golf, but mainly it is a camaraderie with old friends, to joke and have fun.
How about a second weekend to be with those who shared the battles and wars with you at Baylor? And for a special cause. It is hoped that not only football players, but all Baylor alumni will join with those sponsoring the event to help stamp out Huntington's disease.
There is a deadline for entries to enable the sponsors to better prepare for the management of thet tournament, the luncheon, and the awarding of prizes. If you can't participate in this event, please consider sending a gift to the HDSA, Texas Chapter to help this worthy project.
For a brochure and/or more information, please contact Doug Still at 254-399-0700 or Ben Perry at 254-399-0118.
