Our Brave Little Soul

Jacob Aaron Osit was a remarkable boy who bravely battled cancer for nearly six years before he left this earth on August 23, 2007, less than a month after his tenth birthday. During his short stay with us, Jacob touched the lives and brought smiles to more people than most of us will in a lifetime. He remains a much loved and admired brother, son and friend and will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of meeting him.

Golf Fore the Kids was founded in 2003 after Jacob courageously fought what, we then thought, was the worst part of his battle against cancer. Unfortunately, Jacob relapsed less than two years later and fought bravely for the next three years.

After losing our brave little soul, we contemplated postponing the annual event or ending it altogether, but decided that the best tribute to the little boy who battled so bravely was to continue the fight. Now, more than ever, we are committed to helping kids win their battle.

Click on the picture of Jacob to read more about his battle with cancer.

Our Mission

The mission of Golf Fore the Kids is to promote research to find a cure for childhood cancer; increase public awareness about the severity and prevalence of childhood cancer; and provide various forms of assistance to children diagnosed with cancer to lessen the emotional and financial impact of treatment on them and their families.

Organizations We Support

Through the help of your contributions, we've raised $915,000 to support three essential organizations in the battle against childhood cancer.

• The Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
  The Clinical Trials Program at Connecticut Children’s creates new alternatives for cancer patients when traditional treatment options have proven unsuccessful.
• The Jimmy Fund (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)
  Current research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is focused on new discoveries that will lead to better and less toxic treatments for both kids and adults living with cancer.
• The Hole-in-the-Wall-Gang Camp
  Providing "a different kind of healing" to seriously ill children and their families, free of charge. They are a community that celebrates the spirit of childhood, the sound of laughter and the feeling of endless possibility.

10 Childhood Cancer Facts that Everyone Should Know

1. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children in the U.S.
2. Every day, 43 children are diagnosed with cancer.
3. The average age of a child diagnosed with cancer is 6.
4. In 80% of kids with cancer, the cancer has already spread to other areas of the body by the time it is diagnosed.
5. One in five children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. will not survive.
6. Because of the treatments they had as kids, more than 65% of childhood cancer survivors will develop chronic health problems.
7. Although more than 80% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more, survival rates vary depending on the type of cancer.
8. The causes of most childhood cancers are unknown and, at present, childhood cancer cannot be prevented.
9. Much of what we know about treating adult cancers has been learned from childhood cancer research.
10. Only 4% of the federal government’s cancer research funding goes to childhood cancer.

Board of Directors

Alan Osit
Nancy Barnwell
Gary Bazzano
Brian Bellody
Carla Burns
Neil Manning
Sarah Matney
Ron Peterson
Paul Pita
Jason Race
Liz Zelek

For more information, please contact

Alan Osit
alan@golfforethekids.com
(860) 324-3488