Every summer, I celebrate my recovery from acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) with family and dozens of friends by giving back to the community – on the golf course.

What my family and friends started in 1997 as a fund-raiser to help cover my own medical expenses has grown into the Klingman Open Charity Golf Tournament and Dinner Auction, which has now raised more than $280,000 for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s Family Assistance Fund.

As a stem-cell transplant patient at the Hutchinson Center in 1997, I received help from the fund, which provides financial assistance for housing, groceries, transportation, etc. to patients and families in need.

Cancer-free now for fourteen years, I have made it my personal mission to support the Family Assistance Fund annually through the Klingman Open. Cancer treatment can be overwhelming and support during this time is so imperative.

2006 brought a wonderful reunion thanks to efforts, unbeknownst by me, taken by my family. They were able to work with the National Marrow Donor Registries in North America and Europe to locate and contact my stem cell donor in Germany! With a surprising knock on my front door, I came face to face with Mathias Junge after 8.5 years! What a special moment for all of us.

Through hope and courage, I was able to conquer many battles in my fight against cancer, but I didn’t succeed on my own. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center was there for me, so please join me in helping the Hutchinson Center help others.