Community News

Charity Builds Hope to Find a Cure (insert Play for a Cure, Pray for a Cure picture)

Friends of Tony, a non-profit organization founded by Cumming resident, Tony Tristani, held its second annual tennis social and silent auction, Play for a Cure, Pray for a Cure, on the Windermere community tennis courts on Saturday, June 27.  Forty tennis players and many volunteers came out in the hot summer heat to raise awareness for cancer’s littlest victims – children. This successful event raised $11,500!

“I am so grateful to all of my friends and family who came out in support of this event,” said Friends of Tony founder, Tony Tristani, a Cumming resident.  “God is good.”  God is Good! is the organization’s statement of hope and truth for all that suffer and that no matter what happens in our lives, we have our family, friends and our God to help us through.

Late in 2006, Tristani was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer.  Only 45 years old at the time of diagnosis, Tristani was five years away from the recommended screening for colon cancer.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that colorectal cancer—cancer of the colon or rectum—is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In 2005, more than 53,000 people in the United States died of colorectal cancer.  Colon cancer often has no symptoms.

“I cannot imagine any child having to suffer through the pain of cancer,” said Tristani.  “I am blessed that I can give hope to children by raising awareness and supporting medical research.  We will find a cure!”

The Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will receive 100% of the funds raised at this year’s event.  The Aflac center treats more than 350 new cancer patients each year.  The center has one of the leading pediatric cancer, hematology and blood and marrow transplant programs in the country and provides advanced diagnostic and clinical care, as well as innovative treatment and research options to courageous patients ranging from infants to young adults.

To make a donation, learn more about Friends of Tony, and to signup to receive information about future events, visit www.friendsoftony.org. “Friends of Tony will continue its fundraising throughout the year,” said Brian Richey, Friends of Tony CFO and Operations Head.  “Cancer doesn’t relent during a slow economy so neither can we.”