By Alice Hadley
Since 2005 and the first Jeff Hadley Day Memorial Golf Tournament, the Killington community has generously supported the Hadley Family Fund’s efforts to find a cure for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Jeff Hadley, head golf professional at Green Mountain National Golf Course from 1996 to 2005, was diagnosed with ALS in 2004 and during the last two years of his life, dedicated himself to raising money for and awareness of this incurable disease. His devotion to finding a cure was especially intense because he carried the genetic form of ALS. This strain of the disease is passed from generation to generation and in Jeff’s lifetime alone, his grandfather, father, uncle, two cousins and niece all died the slow, paralyzing death that is ALS.
The Hadley Family Fund was created to continue Jeff’s work and honor his legacy. From 2005 to 2011, the annual Jeff Hadley Day Golf Tournament raised nearly $500,000. In 2013 and 2014, the annual Jeff Hadley Golf Pass Raffle raised close to another $10,000. All proceeds from these fund raisers were donated to the ALS Therapy Development Institute in Cambridge Massachusetts (ALS TDI).
This year, however, the Family Fund is suspending its formal fund raising efforts to focus on another member of the Hadley family facing a medical crisis of her own.
Thankfully, this family member has not been diagnosed with ALS. All in Jeff Hadley’s immediate family have been tested and none carry the ALS gene. Sadly, her diagnosis is no less challenging.
Because the Killington community has been so supportive for so many years, the Hadley family wanted to take this opportunity to let everyone know that though there will be no Jeff Hadley Golf Pass Raffle this year, they have not given up the fight Jeff Hadley started many years ago.
The Jeff Hadley Family Fund continues to be active with all proceeds going directly to ALS TDI. For more information and to donate, go online to community.als.net/jeffhadleyfamilyfund.
We recognize and greatly appreciate the Killington community’s past and continued support. Great strides have been made but a cure remains ellusive. Every dime donated brings us closer to realizing Jeff Hadley’s dream of a cure. Thank you for remembering Jeff and supporting his cause. Thank you for caring.
