Golf Classic Raises Funds For Bone Marrow Disorders

BETHEL — Friends of ET Research will hold its 5th Annual Golf Classic and Dinner on Tuesday, September 14. Golfers will tee off in a shotgun start at Centennial Golf Club in Carmel, N.Y. New York Knicks All-Star Allan Houston and former UConn all-scoring star (and ex-Minnesota Timberwolves player) Chris Smith will be playing in the tournament as part of a range of events during the day, including a dinner and silent auction.

Friends of ET Research supports medical research for a group of bone marrow disorders known as essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML.) Identified as hematological malignancies, these are very rare bone marrow disorders that have no cure, and are considered “orphan diseases” because the scientific community has paid them little attention or research.

Based in Bethel, Friends of ET Research is a nonprofit organization helping to raise funds specifically for research. The organization was begun after its president, Celia Miltz, learned personally of these disorders after her daughter, Stephanie, was diagnosed with ET at the age of 16.

At the time of Stephanie’s diagnosis, ET was practically unheard of in children. After educating herself about the disorder, Ms Miltz began to think of ways to support her daughter as she dealt with a life-threatening disease at a young age. Raising money to support research was one way to assist her daughter. In four years, Friends of ET Research has raised nearly $320,000, all of which has gone directly to several research efforts at major institutions throughout the country.

Entry fee for the tournament is $250 per player, and includes cart and greens fees, breakfast, lunch, cocktails, dinner, and cart gifts and prizes. The cost to attend the dinner only is $50 per person. Registration deadline is September 1 and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

For more information about the event, call Ms Miltz at Friends of ET Research at 730-2705 or access its website at www.friendsofETresearch.org.