UW Carbon Cancer Center: Andy North & Friends raise $1.89 million

CONTACT: Susan Lampert Smith

(608) 890-5643

ssmith5@uwhealth.org

Extra gift endows Andy & Sue North Professorship in cancer research

Madison, Wis. – Professional golfer Andy North and his friends raised nearly $2 million for the UW Carbone Cancer Center at a dinner and golf tournament this week.

The figure includes $895,000 raised by auctioning off items such as a trip to sample tequila produced by supermodel Cindy Crawford and a behind-the-scenes tour of the PGA championship at Whistling Straits with North and fellow Wisconsin golfer Steve Stricker. Over the past seven years, North and friends have raised over $6 million for the cancer center.

This year North’s friends had an additional surprise: They contributed another $500,000 that will be matched by an equal amount from the Morgridge Foundation and used to endow the Andy and Sue North Professorship at the cancer center.

Two-time US Open champion Andy North is an analyst for ESPN. He’s also a survivor of skin cancer and prostate cancer, and committed to supporting the work of the UW Carbone Cancer Center, where he received treatment.

Golfers who participated at the seventh annual Andy North and Friends at Maple Bluff Country Club event included Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers; country singer Vince Gill; ESPN Sports Center anchor John Buccigross; golf channel announcer Terry Gannon; Wisconsin basketball coach Bo Ryan; former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight; professional golfer and Golf Channel personality Billy Kratzert; LPGA golfer Sherri Steinhauer; and former Badger and Olympic silver medalist hockey goalie Jessie Vetter.

Other former Badger athletes included basketball players Greg Stiemsma, Jon Leuer, Jordan Taylor and Ben Brust, and former Badger and NFL football player Jim Leonhard.

The Andy North and Friends event has helped support UW Carbone pilot research projects on topics ranging from a novel therapeutic for head and neck cancer, a prostate cancer vaccine and a study of follow-up care for breast cancer patients, among others.