THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 4, 1995 TAG: 9508020218
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Dee Simms noticed that her infant son, Ian, acted sick all the time, had since birth. The concerned mom thought that perhaps he had mononucleosis.
When his condition didn't improve, she and husband, Adam, took Ian for tests in January 1994. The diagnosis: a rare form of cancer, Wilm's tumor.
According to Simms, about 500 cases are reported each year in the world. The Simms' only child underwent surgery shortly thereafter and his right kidney was removed.
``The doctors told us that Ian's chances were good, that there was an 80 to 90 percent success rate,'' said Simms. ``But that 10 to 20 percent is still scary.''
Today, Ian, 3 1/2, is on the road to recovery. He's active and vital.
``He gets treatment and follow-up care every six months,'' she said, as she sat in the lounge at the Broad Bay Country Club. Simms was at the golf course because of Ian and other children like him, children who receive treatment at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
Other children, 108 of them, between the ages of 7 and 18 were out on the course during the heat wave playing a benefit tournament for the hospital. The event was Kids Play Fore Kids, a two-day benefit that earned $7,500 for the hospital.
``We've had adult benefits for the hospital, but this is the first time ever that kids have played a benefit,'' said co-chairperson Susan Ingham, a member of the sponsoring Circle of Hearts of the Norfolk City Union of the Kings Daughters.
The course waived the usual greens fees. Proceeds from player entry fees, donations and hole sponsors all went to CHKD coffers. Local businesses paid to sponsor the holes, and a plaque with their name and the picture of a CHKD patient graced each tee.
Tammy Christl, a Circle of Hearts member and tournament volunteer, watched play from the 15th hole. Like Simms, she is especially grateful for CHKD and for benefit efforts. Five years ago, her son Matthew, now 10, was diagnosed with leukemia. He is in remission from the blood disorder.
``He wanted to come out today, but he hurt his shoulder playing baseball the other day,'' said Christl.
Broad Bay club pro T.J. Young said donating time for the benefit was not a hard decision to make.
``Susan and Connie (Nowak, co-chairperson) and the kids who played for this are the ones who should get all the credit,'' Young said.
Among the prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin, age-group winners and overall winner were two footballs. They bore the signature of Buffalo Bills star and Norfolk native Bruce Smith, a Broad Bay Point resident. Other prizes included gift certificates from the pro shop.
The real winners were the children who benefit from CHKD.
``You don't mind expending energy because they treat every kid no matter if the family can afford it or not,'' Susan Ingham.
Dee Simms added: ``At first, I thought why me. I didn't drink, didn't smoke, did everything right. Then, I thought why not me.
``We know we're going to be survivors. Faith is the answer.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS
Mike Schiller tees off at the par-3, 15th hole at Broad Bay Country
Club, which waived greens fees for the CHKD charity tournament. Some
108 children, aged 7 to 18, played in the two-day event.
Connie Nowak was co-chair for the event, along with Susan Ingham.
Proceeds from player entry fees, donations and hole sponsors all
went to CHKD coffers.
by CNB