A local golf tournament continues growing which means continued good news for people fighting cancer in the Quinte area.

The 3rd annual Pink Ball Golf Classic recently handed over a cheque for more than $35,000 to the Canadian Cancer Society, the proceeds from this year’s event at Black Bear Ridge on Aug. 11.

The money is designated for the Wheels of Hope Transportation program which helps people dealing with cancer get to and from appointments and treatments.

The first year the tournament raised just over $13,000 for the Cancer society; last year organizers passed over a cheque for more than $26,000.

Event chair Jamie Chisholm said he and the rest of the organizing committee are blown away by how much support the event is receiving so quickly

“It was amazing. For starting at 13,000 in the first year to get over $35,000 in year three, we just want to keep going,” he said. “We are hoping to get over $40,000 next year.

“The people this tournament are so generous. It is above and beyond the normal tournament you go to.”

Chisholm said the event supports the Wheels of Hope program because transportation is one of those things not covered when it comes to cancer care even though it can add up.

 “If you are going 10 or 20 times a year that’s $1,500 to $2,000,” he said.” That can be very difficult for some families.”

Chisholm noted that as many as 40 people who played in the tournament are cancer survivors. Plus the tournament has a survivor of the year who organizers select to pay tribute to, including putting his or her name on the winner’s trophy.

This year’s survivor of the year was five-year-old Cameron Gilmour-Lee who, besides being recognized by the tournament was given a helicopter ride around the Quinte area.

The ride was videotaped and used as part of the trophy presentation with Cameron running in to present the trophy at the end of the video as if he had just emerged from the helicopter.

“What an amazing kid,” Chisholm said. “He had it so young. He has been battling basically his entire life. And he is cancer free now. He is a happy, joyful kid. It was great to see him come out of the helicopter.

“We were so lucky to have him there as part of the day. We want to celebrate the survivors to put some happiness into the day because it can be a sad day for everyone.”