Swingin’ for a cause

More than 230 men and women came together at La Cañada Flintridge Country Club on Monday, June 23 to raise awareness and funds for cancer research during the 4th Annual 2nd Lt. Andrew Torres Memorial Golf Tournament. Torres passed away in April 2004 from a rare form of liver cancer.

“We are grateful to our wonderful supporters and the organizing committee,” said Leonard Torres. “As a result of their efforts, this event has raised over $250,000 for cancer research in the last four years.”

Prior to his death, Andrew Torres asked his parents to help raise funds to help find a cure for this disease. Leonard and Anita Torres have taken his wish and turned it into a reality.

The golf tournament has grown each year with the help of family, friends and individuals, some who never met Andrew but were so touched by his concern for others suffering from this disease that they rallied with the Torres family.

Committee members now include a number of Andrew’s former classmates from Flintridge Prep, who, along with his sister Rachel Torres, have taken on leadership of the event.

Over 100 participants enjoyed a round of golf at this year’s tournament. The event also featured silent and live auctions and a film honoring the life Andrew Torres and describing groundbreaking liver cancer research currently being performed at Huntington Medical Research Institutes, the beneficiary of proceeds of the event.

“I thought the tournament this year was certainly very well attended,” said Dr. William Corey, HMRI Director of Clinical Investigations at HMRI and a golf participant. “There were more golfers and far more for dinner. It’s always impressive what the committee, and especially these young people, accomplish.”

To learn more about the tournament or to get information about plans for next year’s event, go to www.andrewtorres.org or call (626) 792-3175.