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Golf tournament raises funds for young woman with rare illness

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In an effort to raise funds for causes, organizations or individuals, the annual Hyundai Golf Classic Tournament held at Woodlands will host its 10th tournament.

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Over the years the tournament has raised funds for the Town of Goderich after the tornado, for Goderich Grizzlies, for schizophrenia awareness and treatment, for gynaecology department for new scanners and for a young woman with cystic fibrosis.

This year’s tournament is to help raise funds for Ashley Fowler (28) who was recently diagnosed with a Pineal Cyst.

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“I like doing something good for the community and raise funds for something that’s really needed,” says Christy MacDonald, organizer of the tournament.

“Ashley’s a great girl and I just want to help her.”

A cyst on the pineal gland, which is a small organ in the brain that produces the hormone melatonin and helps regulate hormones, these cysts are relatively uncommon. Most people with a pineal cyst do not experience symptoms, and the exact cause is unknown.

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This cyst is in the centre of Ashley’s brain and as it grows, it presses on her brain affecting its functionality and creating symptoms.

Ashley first began to notice symptoms nearly two years ago. In Ashley’s case the symptoms have impacted her vision, she has low energy, and she has experienced a loss of feeling in her extremities.

In addition, some people with a pineal cyst can experience another symptom of seizures, which Ashley has not yet experienced.

Not able to work due to the debilitating cyst pushing on her brain, Ashley has plans to have surgery to drain the cyst. There is a GoFundMe page for Ashley to help raise funds for her to receive treatment with a specialist in the United States.

Treatment for pineal cysts may involve open or stereotactic removal of the cyst, stereotactic aspiration or diversion of the cyst, which is a procedure to drain fluid from the brain.

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In the States, specialists will offer treatment or operation when the cyst is measuring at 5mm and Ashley’s has measured at 12mm when she was first diagnosed. In the last year and a half, it’s grown to 14mm.

Ashley has opted for the drainage process procedure, but it is not something that is offered in Ontario, so she has made contact with a specialist in Texas.

As Pineal Cysts are really rare, doctors do not operate in Ontario so the funds raised will help with out of country medical care costs.

“This money needs to be raised (for Ashley) and done very quickly, because she obviously needs the surgery,” adds MacDonald.

“The specialist in Texas is the most well-known for this operation.”

The Hyundai Golf Tournament has a goal to raise over $10,000 from donations and participants as that will assist in the cost of the surgery, which is roughly $100,000.

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“She will have the surgery in Texas, and she will have to be down there for a month in recovery,” explains MacDonald.

Surgery to drain the cyst has not yet been booked, but Ashley requires proof of funds before her specialist will book her in.

“She’s in the process and has been in communication with them for over a year. It’s a long process,” admits Leea-Ann Sandford, aunt to Ashley.

“It’s something that not many people know about.”

The fundraising golf tournament will be held on Saturday, September 28 at Woodlands Golf Course. Shotgun start is at 11 a.m.

Many local sponsors of the golf tournament include Hyundai with a chance to win a car, 104.9 Country FM, Tim Hortons, and Chuck-It-Goderich. The day on the golf links will also include a hole-in-one chance to win a car, trip and golf clubs.

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“We are open to more local businesses that would like to sponsor a hole and they can do what they want at the hole and make it fun,” says organizer.

To ensure safe transportation, Murphy’s Bus Lines have sponsored the use of a bus that will pick up participants at Bedford Inn and Walmart, take them out to the course and back again.

The cost for individuals who are interested in participating in the Hyundai Golf Tournament fundraiser is $125 per person. This price includes 18-holes, golf cart, lunch, steak dinner, goodie bag, tasting holes, and transportation to and from.

Bookings can be completed through Libro bank in Goderich with Christy Alcock at Christy.alcock@libro.ca

Deadline for commitments to the fundraiser golf tournament is Labour Day weekend.

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