On August 29, Saratoga National Golf Club played host to the 7th Annual St. Jude Gala, which this year raised more than $300,000 to help treat—and hopefully, someday defeat—childhood cancer. Chairman Of The Board for Price Chopper Supermarkets and noted local philanthropist Neil Golub donated $20,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in memory of his late wife, Jane Golub, a gala honoree, who was a major supporter of the hospital. Also honored was “a patient’s mom, JoAnne, whose daughter, Ashley, battled acute myeloid leukemia as a young adult,” says Fran Pickles, St. Jude’s regional development director. “Ashley was 19 when she was diagnosed and began her treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis in 2010.” Continues Pickles: “Through her treatment, she realized she wanted to become a nurse and help others like the nurses at St. Jude were able to do for her. Her journey came full circle, as today she’s a nurse at St. Jude.” All the proceeds from the gala went towards ensuring that families, like Ashley’s, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, housing or food.
(Katie Dobies)