On the morning of October 8, 2012, at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton, VA, Matt Benson of Long & Foster Realtors kicked off the day’s events by lifting 7-year-old NF Hero Jack Burke onto his shoulders, and in so doing, lifted the spirits of all families affected by neurofibromatosis. Thus began the Washington, D.C. area’s first CureNFwithJack Golf Classic, a fundraiser that hopes to bring medical research closer to effective treatments for NF.
Matt became aware of the Children’s Tumor Foundation through Jack’s parents, Beth and Jake Burke, after working with them on the sale of their home in 2008. Then, in April 2012, Matt traveled from Washington, D.C. to Atlanta for the inaugural CureNFwithJack golf tournament. “I left there feeling like I could do more,” Matt commented. “I knew it was going to be a LOT of work but, seeing what Jack and the Burkes’ are going through with NF, I realized that making an impact in their lives would be worth every ounce of energy it took.”
Jack was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) at two years old based on café au lait spots and vision difficulties. It was later discovered that Jack also has a plexiform neurofibroma tumor behind his left eye. The family regularly travels from Atlanta to Children’s National Medical Center in D.C. for MRI monitoring and consultations with NF specialists.
CureNFWithJack D.C. hosted 76 golfers including former University of South Carolina Gamecocks tight end and Long & Foster Regional Vice President Boomer Foster, Steve Lorberbaum, the President of CTF’s newly formed DC-TriState Chapter, Dr. Rob Avery of the Children’s National Medical Center, and John and Jeff McDonald of VSC Fire & Security, just to name a few.
Although the weather was unseasonably cold, the participants’ hearts were warm. All involved enjoyed the course and took turns posing for pictures with “Jacko,” the enthusiastic man of the hour. (For a full gallery of photos please click here.) In all, the event raised more than $24,000 for NF research, and the hopes of millions of people worldwide who live with neurofibromatosis.
If you are interested in participating in the D.C. CureNFwithJack Golf Classic next year, or would like to contact Matt Benson, please email matt.benson@longandfoster.com.
