Here is a press release template that you can use as you wish. You can "cut-and-paste" the information directly from this page into your own word processor - filling in the appropriate information that is shown in red italics. With minimal modification and fill-in-the-blank work, you can personalize it and send it out (printed or via email) for publicity.

_____________________ [Date]
_____________________ [City / State]

[Club name]_____________________ of _____________ [Club location, generally city] has joined with the Drive For The Marker^sm initiative to sponsor a closest-to-the-pin contest to benefit research for pancreatic cancer on its ____ [Number] hole this ______ [Day of week] from ________ [Time] until _______ [Time] .

The event is additionally sponsored by Callaway Golf Company, Golf Magazine, Pebble Beach Company and the non-profit Lorenzen Cancer Foundation.

Each participant in the event will receive a one-year subscription to Golf Magazine as well as information and other handouts. The golfer with the shot closest to the pin will receive a limited-edition Joann Dost trophy pin flag and prizes from Callaway Golf Company. The modest $20 entry fee is tax-deductible.

The funds generated by this event will be used for awareness and education about pancreatic cancer, but especially to foster the development of a screening marker.

According to Dr. Margaret Tempero, Chief of Oncology at the University of California at San Francisco, "No such tool for early diagnosis currently exists. But recent new scientific developments suggest that we are finally in a position to begin to work toward creating such a screening marker." Professor Tempero is a Science Director of the Lorenzen Cancer Foundation and the past President of the twenty-thousand member American Association of Clinical Oncology.

Pancreatic cancer is the most virulent of the cancers. And it occurs more frequent than is generally understood. Cancer of the pancreas is the fourth most common cause of cancer death, accounting each year for more than thirty thousand deaths in the U.S. This represents more than 1% of all American deaths from all causes.

The signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer are frequently vague and may include fatigue, weight loss, mild abdominal discomfort and loss of appetite. Consequently, the illness is often only found after it has reached an advanced stage. Since it is typically discovered so late in its course, doctors are somewhat constrained in the range of treatments which can be offered. A screening or molecular marker for pancreatic cancer would significantly expand the range of treatments that can be offered.

The impulse for the Drive For The Marker campaign is related to the deaths from pancreatic cancer of Ely Callaway, Founder of the Callaway Golf Company, John Chadwell, President of the Pebble Beach Company and Gary Lorenzen, Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. "When we saw how much devastation that this disease causes, we knew that we had try and make a difference," according to Lee Lorenzen, CEO of the Lorenzen Cancer Foundation.

The fund-raising event is rolling out across the country to many golf clubs over the next few months. _________________________ [Club name] has elected to join in this national campaign.

About Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the most virulent of the major cancers.

It is also the least funded of the major cancers in terms of research.

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the developed world, behind cardiovascular disease.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality (behind lung cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer).

250 people in North America and Europe will die TODAY from pancreatic cancer. (90,000 deaths per year).

 

About_______________________ [Club name]

[Add general information about your club below - including address, phone number and perhaps various course features, etc.]
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

For more information please contact:
___________________________________ [Name and/or Phone number]

About Drive For The Marker

For more information visit or call: www.driveforthemarker.org / 877-647-4700

 

About Callaway Golf Company

Located in Carlsbad, California, the Callaway Golf Company designs, manufactures and sells golf clubs (drivers, fairway woods, irons, wedges and putters), golf balls and golf accessories. The Company's products are designed for the enjoyment of both amateur and professional golfers. Golfers generally purchase its products on the basis of performance, ease of use and appearance.
For more information please visit or call: www.callawaygolf.com / 800-588-9836

 

About Golf Magazine

Golf Magazine is the game's most widely read publication. The most authoritative source of golf information, Golf Magazine provides a monthly array of golf-related news, game lessons, travel tips, course overviews, equipment discussion, interviews with professionals and special offers for readers.

For more information please visit or call: www.golfonline.com / 800-876-7726

 

About Pebble Beach Company

Located on the Monterey Peninsula in California, Pebble Beach is America's #1 golf resort.
For more information visit or call: www.pebblebeach.com / 800-654-9300

 

About Lorenzen Cancer Foundation

Located in Monterey, California, the Lorenzen Cancer Foundation is absolutely dedicated to the fight against pancreatic cancer.
For more information visit or call: www.pancreatica.org / 877-647-0400