Val Skinner Foundation Surpasses $9.5 Million for Breast Cancer Awareness Initiatives

(WEST CALDWELL, NJ) – Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, N.J., played host to more than 20 LPGA stars on Monday as former LPGA pro Val Skinner hosted her 15th annual LIFE Event, raising $500,000 for breast cancer research and awareness initiatives.

Thanks to the support of current stars Brittany Lincicome, Christina Kim and Cheyenne Woods along with Hall of Famers Amy Alcott, Pat Bradley and many others, the Val Skinner Foundation has raised more than $9.5 million since 2000. Skinner began the LIFE Event (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) to honor fellow LPGA player Heather Farr, who died of breast cancer in 1993.

“I’m tremendously proud of how far this event has come in 15 years and the programs we have been able to fund through the generosity of our partners and the LPGA pros,” Skinner said. “The stories shared each year by our Heroes inspire me to keep doing everything possible to help eradicate this terrible disease.”

At each LIFE Event, Skinner honors Heroes who have demonstrated courage in the face of breast cancer and/or purpose to fight the disease. The 2014 Heroes were Annie Goodman, a former producer for Fox News, and Aimee Parani, a breast cancer survivor who endured chemotherapy while pregnant with her second child.

Proceeds have helped create and support programs for the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, including the development of LIFE Centers focused on education and genetic research throughout New Jersey. The foundation and the Cancer Institute also partnered to create BioCONNECT, a hands-on cancer curriculum taught in New Jersey and South Carolina schools, and BOLD, a summer camp for high school students interested in medical sciences.

Funds raised through the LIFE Event have also been donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which launched Komen on the Go, an interactive educational mobile tour, and Young Women Walking, a segment of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day specifically aimed at 16-23 year olds.

Supporters of the LIFE event include Amy and Joe Perella, MARSH, C.R. Bard, Genentech and EmblemHealth. Others include Assured Guaranty, Atlantic City Electric, QualCare, Cox Charity Classic, Lincoln and Gina and Michael Martin, Ken Langone, Mark Rachesky and Sandler, O’Neill & Partners.