TheLounge
07-16-2007, 02:06 PM
San Carlos resident Bob Hammer was never one to all out for charity. Funny what beating cancer does to people. Now, Hammer is one of the biggest cancer fundraisers in Northern California thanks to his annual charity golf event.Now in its third year, the “Have a Ball Golf Tournament Sponsored by Ariba” is Hammer’s way of giving back to the people and organizations that helped him beat testicular cancer, not once but twice. Hammer, 38, was 30 when he was first diagnosed with testicular cancer. Days away from a surgery that would have prevented him from having kids in the traditional way, Hammer was introduced to Lance Armstrong’s oncologist, Dr. Craig Nichols, who not only advised Hammer not to have surgery but cured him.
Hammer’s son Josh is now 4 years old and Hammer admits Josh is “the miracle kid” and he’s been cancer free for six years.
Not all cancer survivors, however, go out and raise money and awareness for the disease.
“It sounds corny but it goes through the [Lance Armstrong Foundation]. It’s called, ‘Obligation of the cured.’ Some people don’t ever want to talk about it and others want to help out,” Hammer said. “At first, I was one of those guys who didn’t want to talk about it. Testicular cancer is a tough thing to talk about. Oprah can have 500 women take their breasts out and do an exam but to get guys to talk about testicles is a hard thing.
“You have to get checked. It could turn into something serious and you can die.”
There will be no talk of death and dying at Sunnyvale Golf Course July 20. The tournament is a celebration of life and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. Last year, Hammer told the Lounge the tournament was just a way to hang out with his buddies, play some golf and raise a little money for cancer research. This year, Hammer has already raised $118,000, securing sponsorships from 44 corporate sponsors, who donated anywhere from $1000 to $10,000. Heck, Hammer got 40 different companies to sponsor the various holes on the course. Keep in mind there are only 18 holes on the golf course.
He has also expanded the number of recipients to 13. The Lance Armstrong Foundation will get the bulk of the money as the unquestioned leader in the fight against cancer. But Hammer also stayed local, giving money to Camp Okizu, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, the UCSF Cancer Resource Center and Childrens’ Hospital-Oakland. It’s the ultimate example of thinking globally (LAF) and acting locally (Sequoia Hospital).
It really is amazing how quickly the “Have a Ball Golf Tournament Sponsored by Ariba” has mushroomed. This year alone the event received donations from 84 different organizations: Every Bay Area professional sports team made donations as well as donations from restaurants, airlines, hotel-casinos and everything inbetween.
“I do have a very solid group of people that have been involved since Day One,” Hammer said, adding he got about 60 new sponsors this year alone. He said he sent out 2,000 e-mails and while he said the responses range from, “don’t bother me,” to “Sorry, but we can’t,” all he needed was that one person who was touched enough to help.
“One of those people are going to know someone who was affected or who is directly dealing with cancer,” Hammer said.
Hammer said there are a few spots left in the tournament and people can check availability at www.haveaballgolf.com. Even if you’re not a golfer and still want to help out, you can make donations to the Have a Ball Foundation or bid on myriad prizes at the Have a Ball auction. If you don’t think even the smallest amount can’t help, think again. Hammer knows just how far cancer research has come in the last 20 years.
“When I did have my cancer, they told me if I had this 10 years ago, I would have died,” Hammer said. “If you have it nowadays, it’s definitely not a death sentence.”
Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 117.
Hammer’s son Josh is now 4 years old and Hammer admits Josh is “the miracle kid” and he’s been cancer free for six years.
Not all cancer survivors, however, go out and raise money and awareness for the disease.
“It sounds corny but it goes through the [Lance Armstrong Foundation]. It’s called, ‘Obligation of the cured.’ Some people don’t ever want to talk about it and others want to help out,” Hammer said. “At first, I was one of those guys who didn’t want to talk about it. Testicular cancer is a tough thing to talk about. Oprah can have 500 women take their breasts out and do an exam but to get guys to talk about testicles is a hard thing.
“You have to get checked. It could turn into something serious and you can die.”
There will be no talk of death and dying at Sunnyvale Golf Course July 20. The tournament is a celebration of life and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. Last year, Hammer told the Lounge the tournament was just a way to hang out with his buddies, play some golf and raise a little money for cancer research. This year, Hammer has already raised $118,000, securing sponsorships from 44 corporate sponsors, who donated anywhere from $1000 to $10,000. Heck, Hammer got 40 different companies to sponsor the various holes on the course. Keep in mind there are only 18 holes on the golf course.
He has also expanded the number of recipients to 13. The Lance Armstrong Foundation will get the bulk of the money as the unquestioned leader in the fight against cancer. But Hammer also stayed local, giving money to Camp Okizu, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, the UCSF Cancer Resource Center and Childrens’ Hospital-Oakland. It’s the ultimate example of thinking globally (LAF) and acting locally (Sequoia Hospital).
It really is amazing how quickly the “Have a Ball Golf Tournament Sponsored by Ariba” has mushroomed. This year alone the event received donations from 84 different organizations: Every Bay Area professional sports team made donations as well as donations from restaurants, airlines, hotel-casinos and everything inbetween.
“I do have a very solid group of people that have been involved since Day One,” Hammer said, adding he got about 60 new sponsors this year alone. He said he sent out 2,000 e-mails and while he said the responses range from, “don’t bother me,” to “Sorry, but we can’t,” all he needed was that one person who was touched enough to help.
“One of those people are going to know someone who was affected or who is directly dealing with cancer,” Hammer said.
Hammer said there are a few spots left in the tournament and people can check availability at www.haveaballgolf.com. Even if you’re not a golfer and still want to help out, you can make donations to the Have a Ball Foundation or bid on myriad prizes at the Have a Ball auction. If you don’t think even the smallest amount can’t help, think again. Hammer knows just how far cancer research has come in the last 20 years.
“When I did have my cancer, they told me if I had this 10 years ago, I would have died,” Hammer said. “If you have it nowadays, it’s definitely not a death sentence.”
Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 117.