P.I.N.K. All Stars – Jill Blackwood and Judy McCarty

Jill Blackwood and Judy McCarty have been involved with Play for P.I.N.K. for well over a decade.  We are happy to feature them as our November P.I.N.K. All Stars.

Judy and I love Play for P.I.N.K.! We were first introduced to P.I.N.K. when we were invited to play in The Naples Cancer Invitational, an event benefiting Play for P.I.N.K.  We fell in love with the event – the tournament format, the golf course, the hotel, and of course the cause.  We had played in the tournament a few years when the chairs decided it was time to retire.  Judy and I jumped at the opportunity to run an event that supported breast cancer!

This is a true labor of love for us because each of us has had a battle with breast cancer.  Judy was diagnosed in 1999, had a mastectomy and has been disease free since.  I was diagnosed in 2016.  I had a double mastectomy followed by chemotherapy.  In 2017 the cancer had metastasized.  I went on a drug that was specifically developed for this type of cancer and did well for another year.  When it stopped working I switched to another drug.  The side effects were disastrous.  I stopped taking all cancer medications and entered hospice.  Today, I am happy to report that I am feeling much better and am able to function.  I’m sharing my experience to illustrate the need for more research to bring an end to this awful disease.  Play for P.I.N.K. donates 100% of all monies raised to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation which is important to Judy and me. Both of us believe research is the route to a cure.

This is our 13th year chairing this event.  We’ve watched it grow in participation and donations.  We have had help along the way. The PFP staff is very supportive and the PFP sponsors send lots of nice items for the goodie bags!

Judy and I are honored to be part of the Play for P.I.N.K. community and to chair such a special event.  We like Giving Hope Our Best Shot!