SPRINGFIELD, IL. - LPGA State Farm Classic Defending Champion Cristie Kerr presented a check for $5,000 to the Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine at a wine tasting event held today at Panther Creek in coordination with her signature wine label 'Curvature.' The donation provides funding for cancer research and was given in addition to the funds SCI will receive from the LPGA State Farm Classic as a charitable partner.
Kerr has committed her career to the cause of developing a cure for breast cancer. Having witnessed her mother, aunt and godmother battle the disease, Cristie founded Birdies for Breast Cancer, a charity that has raised several million dollars for breast cancer research and treatment. In 2010 she opened the Cristie Kerr Women's Health Center at the Jersey City Medical Center.
"Breast cancer is a disease that touches everyone in some way. The advancements in medicine are continuously evolving and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to help support the effort to find a cure," Kerr said. "The Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine does fantastic work and I'm proud to support their efforts."
Named one of the LPGA State Farm Classic's 2011 charities, Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU will use the funds it receives from the Tournament to purchase prostheses, bras and other supplies for its Just for You Salon that provides free services to breast cancer patients throughout central and southern Illinois in over 70 counties. The additional funds donated by Cristie Kerr will be used for cancer research.
"Cristie Kerr's generous contribution to Simmons Cancer Institute SIU will fund our ongoing research to fight breast cancer. Her many efforts have raised awareness and increased education about this disease, so we are very appreciative of her support and advocacy," said Dr. K. Thomas Robbins, SCI director. Currently, SCI researchers have more than $6.7 million in multi-year funding awards for breast cancer studies. Its grant funds for all cancer research totals more than $16.8 million.
