WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – The 13th Annual Swing Against Cancer in Wisconsin Rapids is happening at the Ridges Golf Course. Close to 180 golfers comprise the 43 teams participating in the golf event. Nine alumni players from the Brewers, Badgers, Green Bay Packers, other NFL players, and local celebrities will assist at different holes around the course. They include Gary Ellerson, Art Price, Matt Bernstein, Travis Beckum, Jared Abbrederis, Jerry Augustine, Jim Gantner, Bill Castro, and Dale Ryman.

*Celebrity alumni players participating in Swing Against Cancer. (Melissa Kaye / Civic Media)*

Nicole Sukow is one of the committee members. She explained the organization has donated $390,000 to 261 local people over the past 12 years.

“We work with the Aspirus Cancer Center. They give us names of people that are in need, may not have enough insurance, don’t have insurance, just need that extra help,” explains Sukow. “The money that we raise, we give out to them. Tonight, we will give to 20 people [at] the event.”

The sponsors are crucial

Well over 30 business and local groups are sponsoring close to 40 teams for this year’s event. Sukow says the four different levels of sponsorship make this golf outing at the Ridges Golf Course possible.

*Cart sponsors are one of the four levels of sponsorship available. (Melissa Kaye / Civic Media)*

“So without them [sponsors], we could not do it. Our volunteers, this is a lot to put on this event every year, our volunteers are a crucial piece of it,” says Sukow. “And then obviously our players. Having the Packer players, Badger, and Brewers come in set aside our outing a little differently.”

Sukow said they’re always looking for more volunteers. You can find them on Facebook at Swing Against Cancer Wisconsin Rapids.

Additional funds are donated at the end of the year

This golf outing is the biggest event of the year for Swing Against Cancer. They donate to the 20 people chosen from local patients in need. Sukow said that once all expenses are paid, they give out any additional funds to more recipients.

“So we will give from anywhere, generally, from $10K to $15K plus more. This year, I do believe that we will be close to the $20K mark again, so we’ll have the potential to give to 38 to 40 people probably from this outing alone,” shared Sukow.

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