ARLINGTON, VA — A Washington Liberty High School student was inspired to launch a charity golf tournament after seeing how cancer treatment affected several members of his family and learning about the financial and emotional burdens patients face beyond medical care.
Tyler Hong, 16, said watching relatives undergo cancer treatment motivated him to support the Dewberry Cancer Resource Center at VHC Health.
“Watching several of my family members go through cancer treatment really showed me personally how difficult the experience can go beyond just the medical side of treatment,” Hong told Patch. “So many hidden challenges like transportation to appointments, the emotional stress, financial pressure.”
Hong, a junior at Washington Liberty High School, is organizing the Inaugural Cancer Resource Charity Classic on Wednesday, May 27 at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington. The four-person scramble tournament aims to raise $10,000 for the cancer resource center.
The fundraiser will support programs that provide emergency financial assistance for essentials such as rent, groceries, utilities and transportation, according to Hong. Funds also help cover wigs, head coverings, counseling, support groups and wellness programs for patients and families.
“The goal is just to help patients and their families focus more on their recovery instead of worrying about the everyday challenges of treatment,” Hong said.
Hong's father, who is a physician at VHC Health, introduced him to the hospital environment at an early age. He also said four members of his family have had cancer.
Outside the tournament, Hong volunteers at VHC Health and the Arlington Food Assistance Center, known as AFAC. He also founded a student-run Cancer Resource Center Club at Washington Liberty High School.
Members of the club assemble information packets for patients at the Dewberry Cancer Resource Center. The packets include maps of the hospital, parking information and contact cards for doctors and staff.
“We make hundreds of these pamphlets,” Hong said. “Every cancer patient that goes through the Dewberry Cancer Resource Center, they receive a little packet.
Hong is a member of the Washington-Liberty Golf Team, which won its first region championship last October.
The idea for the golf tournament grew out of conversations with friends who recently took up golf at Army Navy Country Club located at 1700 Army Navy Drive in Arlington. After learning tournaments could be hosted at the course, he said they decided to turn the idea into a fundraiser.
The tournament will begin with a 10 a.m. tee time on Wednesday and include contests such as a long-drive competition and a closest-to-the-pin challenge.
Hong said organizing the event has become a learning experience.
“It’s definitely taught me to be persistent,” he said. “Seeing the community in our area support the event definitely makes all the hard work worth it.”
More information about the tournament is available on the tournament's website.
To learn how to make a donation or register for the May 27 event, visit the tournament's website.
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