The National Cancer Institute is one of the leading organizations for cancer research in the world. Almost anyone you ask knows someone affected by some form of cancer – yearly it is the second most fatal cause behind cardiovascular diseases.

However, despite the fact that the National Cancer Institute raises roughly $728 million a year, only 4% of that is budgeted for pediatric cancer research. Two local families know this alarming statistic too well.

The McKenna and McHugh families both lost sons to courageous battles against pediatric cancer.

Conor McKenna had a passion for baseball and wanting to be able to get back and play the sport he loved is what helped drive him through some very difficult times. This wasn’t just the love of a game, to Conor it was much more than that. He partially lost the use of his right arm due to surgery to remove a tumor.

Jake McHugh was an imaginative and adventurous young man if there ever was one. You could hand him almost anything and he could turn it into something. Even at the most difficult times, Jake showed exactly what the word Courage means.

Eager to give back to the community, local financial planning firm Menninger & Associates had recently decided to host a first annual golf outing for the Conor McKenna Foundation and Jake’s Dragon Foundation.

The two foundations were established for Conor and Jake, who fought a brave battle against cancer. Already collaborating to host a yearly 5k run, the two charities agreed to partner with Menninger & Associates and allow them to take the reigns on The Courage Championship Golf Outing.

Over the course of three months, the event received overwhelming support from the local community. By the week of the outing, 93 golfers were registered to play, and 30 sponsors pledged donations on a multi-tiered scale. The premier sponsors included: Audubon Land Development, Hallam Engineering, Patrick Kelly Insurance, Upper Providence Living, Fitness Machine Technicians, Boomtown Internet Group, Montco Today, the Vivian Family, Goldfish Swim School – Oaks, Kailey Edwards Photography, and, of course, Menninger & Associates.

Despite the rain, many golfers showed up eager to show their support. With delicious beer donated from Stable 12 Brewery, and a barbecue-style lunch and dinner, golfers participated in other events around the clubhouse.

Linfield National Golf Club has recently invested in four, state of the art golf simulators.

Each simulator bay is equipped with a bar and seating area, perfect for social gatherings. What’s more, the simulators had the ability to download the entire Linfield National course.

The Conor McKenna Foundation and Jake’s Dragon Foundation dedicate 100% of donations to funding innovative pediatric cancer research, as well as helping families cope with the enormous financial burden of the disease.

There’s an old proverb that reads, “it takes a village,” and this event is just another example of that truth. There is nothing more inspirational than a community helping a member or family in a time of need, only to have them pay it back to the community.

Menninger & Associates would like to sincerely thank both foundations, sponsors, golfers, and the community for their time, generosity, and support with this event.

Given the success of the inaugural year, they plan on hosting this charity golf outing yearly. If you know a local charity that would be interested in the 2022 outing, please reach out to admin@maaplanning.com or call 610.422.3773.