In 2009, Angela Stanford’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. A year later, she lost a close friend after a short but fierce battle with the disease. While most people might feel helpless, Stanford instead was driven to do something about it.
The 13-year LPGA Tour veteran has always had a passion for helping others in her community. In 2006, she established a golf event called “Let Your Light Shine,” with proceeds benefiting Lena Pope Home, the First Tee and other Fort Worth non-profit organizations.
Three years later, the tournament took on a whole new purpose after two important women in Stanford’s life were gripped with cancer. Seeing the direct affect the disease had on both families, she started The Angela Stanford Foundation which provides scholarships for students whose families are marked by cancer.
“When you see how cancer affects families, it just makes sense to help those kids,” said Stanford. “I have a soft spot in my heart for kids. I love kids, especially the ones who almost get the raw end of the deal sometimes.”
On Sunday, September 22, The Angela Stanford Foundation will host its eighth annual “Let Your Light Shine” Charity Golf Tournament in Fort Worth, Texas. The day will start with a junior clinic hosted by LPGA Tour stars in the afternoon. A nine-hole shotgun tournament begins shortly after with teams of four consisting of two LPGA players. After dinner, the teams will tee off for a round of glow-in-the-dark golf.
LPGA players participating in the event are Stacy Lewis, Wendy Ward, Gerina Piller, Katie Futcher, Dori Carter, Leta Lindley, Kristy McPherson, Par Hurst, Danah Bordner, Heather Bowie-Young, Julia Boland, Marcy Hart, Laura Diaz, Meredith Duncan, Lauren Doughtie, Cindy Lacrosse and Tiffany Joh.
For the past three years, the tournament has raised more than $100,000 each year. In 2010, the event raised enough funds to endow the Robin Thayer Athletic Memorial Scholarship at Texas Christian University, Stanford’s alma mater. The scholarship honors her close friend who passed away in 2010. Several other scholarships have been awarded to students in need through the fundraisers hosted by The Angela Stanford Foundation. Proceeds from the event also benefit the First Tee of Fort Worth and the Lena Pope Home.
Today, after a three-year battle with breast cancer, Stanford proudly states, “Put my mom in the survivor column.”
To find out how you can donate to The Angela Stanford Foundation, visit www.angelastanfordfoundation.org/donate.
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