Many of JDRF’s most committed supporters choose to organize their own fundraisers, utilizing their individual skills, abilities, and resources to create personalized and unique events.

The following story is about the McVey family, who recently hosted the 1^st Annual Stephen McVey Memorial Shootout to benefit JDRF. The golf tournament brought together a full field of 125 golfers for a fun day of golf at the beautiful and prestigious El Macero Country Club in Davis, CA. Together the golfers and the McVey family were able to raise a phenomenal $10,835 in support of JDRF!

Lee Ann McVey and her family organized the first year golf tournament to honor her husband, Stephen McVey, who passed away last August from complications related to type 1 diabetes. Stephen was diagnosed at age seven and lived with the disease for 45 years. According to Lee Ann, “he was told when he was diagnosed that chances of him reaching the age of 30 were slim. That gives you some idea of the technology that grew as he did.”

A golf tournament is not something everyone chooses to take on as their first fundraiser, but Lee Ann wasn’t afraid of the challenge and felt it was the only option to pay respects to her late husband who had a passion for golf:

“Stephen was a golf course superintendent and had been working on golf courses since he was quite young. He was a scratch golfer until our children came along. Family always took priority. He not only loved the game, he was passionate about what he did for a living. His best friend from high school, Leon Rua, is also an avid golfer. For a number of years, Stephen would host a golf tournament for Leon with a bunch of their mutual friends for Leon’s birthday in May. 

When Stephen passed, I knew I had to come up with something to help all of us heal and pay tribute to the love of my life. Within days of his passing, I went to Leon with my idea of hosting a golf tournament in Stephen’s honor and to have it in May knowing Stephen would enjoy us celebrating Leon’s birthday. It simply snowballed from there. The date chosen in May ended up being Leon’s birthday. Trust me, there were moments I asked myself what the heck I was doing. I was totally out of my comfort zone, but Leon always had my back and pushed me to keep planning and moving forward. I am so grateful I did. The stories shared, the tears shed and the rewards were too numerous to mention besides the obvious ones –  bringing people together who loved my husband and being able to donate to the leading organization funding Type 1 diabetes (JDRF)!”

The Stephen McVey Memorial Shootout was a rousing success in its first year and Lee Ann had such a wonderful time organizing the tournament and connecting with her husband’s dearest friends, that she is hoping to continue the tournament’s success again next year. We are grateful for supporters like Lee Ann who go the extra mile to raise awareness and funds to support JDRF’s efforts to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. Our sincerest appreciation to Lee Ann and the entire McVey family!