Weichert Realtors Press Release
Weichert, Realtors® Eighth Annual Golf Outing Continues Support for Cause Close to Home
6/19/2008
MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. – For the
eighth straight year, Weichert, Realtors will host its annual charity golf
outing to benefit the American Cancer Society and breast cancer research. The
event, which will take place on Thursday, August 21, will once again be held at
Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster,
N.J.
As in the
past, the golf event will give participants a chance to enjoy some outdoor
recreation with colleagues and friends. More importantly, it provides a
tremendous vehicle to raise much needed awareness and support for a cause that
unfortunately hits close to home with more and more Americans these days –
breast cancer.
Weichert,
Realtors is no exception. Over the years, many of the company’s sales
associates and employees have dealt with the devastating affects of breast
cancer personally, while others have watched as family members and friends
battled the disease.
“With one
out of every seven women getting breast cancer, it’s an unfortunate reality
that this disease will touch all of our lives in some way, shape or form,” said
Jacelyn Botti, Head of Residential Sales for Weichert, Realtors. “We started
our annual golf outing several years ago as a way to honor and support the
breast cancer victims and survivors from the Weichert family and the millions
of others like them.”
Barbara
Gellman, a sales associate from the Weichert Roxbury office, is one such
survivor. In fact, Botti cites Gellman
as her inspiration for establishing the annual golf outing eight years
ago. Gellman is a four-time survivor of
breast cancer who was first diagnosed and treated for the disease in 1981 and
then most recently in 2006.
Gellman
stressed the importance of supporting those afflicted with breast cancer, both
on the personal level and in terms of the greater cause. “The support I got
from Weichert, from my office colleagues to the company management including
Jim Weichert himself, has been incredibly important. As a survivor, keeping a positive attitude is
critical and it really inspires you to know you have so many people in your
corner pulling for you.”
As
important as the emotional support is for breast cancer victims, the
fundraising through events such as the Weichert golf outing to aid research is
equally important.
“The drugs
I am taking now weren’t available five years ago. People need to know that their support is
making a difference. New research is leading to breakthrough techniques, new
medications and helping women with breast cancer live longer,” added Gellman.
One recent
breast cancer survivor who has benefited from the progress made through
research supported by events like the Weichert golf event is Laura Metro,
executive assistant to Botti at Weichert, Realtors.
Metro, who
has worked on the organizing committee for the golf outing for a number of
years, was shocked when she first learned she had breast cancer. “I really
didn’t think it could happen to me. There was no history of breast cancer in my
family. Luckily, we caught it early and
because the treatments available today are better thanks to all the research
that has been done, my prognosis was very positive.”
In Metro’s
case, her involvement with the American Cancer Society led to her catching the
disease early. Knowing the importance of early detection, Metro preformed
monthly self-examinations and upon discovering a lump immediately notified her
doctor.
Added Metro
“If I could impress upon women out there just one thing it would be the
importance of doing a self-examination. Waiting a year until your next
appointment isn’t enough. A lot can happen in a year. My doctor told me I
probably saved my own life by detected it early through a self examination.”
“I have
always known breast cancer was a pervasive problem. But when Laura was
diagnosed it was such a strong reminder to me that this really can happen to
anyone at anytime. One year, she is on a committee working to raise support for
breast cancer and the next thing you know she is battling the disease
personally,” said Botti.
Inspired by
the strength of courageous survivors like Gellman and Metro, Botti wants to up
the ante for this year’s golf outing. “Last year, we raised more than $65,000
for the American Cancer Society to benefit breast cancer research. This year,
we have set a goal to raise at least $80,000.”
Botti
invites individuals and businesses alike to participate in the event to support
this worthy cause. A $349 registration fee entitles individuals to entry in an
18-hole tournament and invitations to a buffet luncheon and post-tournament
awards banquet. Those unable to make it for golf are invited to attend the
awards banquet for a donation of $175 per person. There are also a number of
ways for businesses to get involved including six sponsorship levels and gift
and prize donations. To register for the Weichert Golf Outing please contact
Julie Holland at 973-359-8380 by July 31 as space is limited.
In
addition, individuals who can’t attend the event but wish to help support
breast cancer research are encouraged to send donations payable to the American
Cancer Society to Weichert, Realtors, 1625
State Highway 10, Morris Plains,
NJ 07950, attention Jacelyn Botti - Weichert Golf Outing.
Weichert
has nearly 18,000 sales associates in more than 500 company-owned and
franchised sales offices in key markets throughout the U.S. A family of full-service real estate and
financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both
residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of
mortgages and home and title insurance.
For more information, Weichert's customer service center can be reached
at 1-800-USA-SOLD or at Weichert's Web site, www.weichert.com. Each Weichert franchised office is
independently owned and operated.
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