September 24, 2006 Golf Event

A Welcome Message from Jim Clarke

Welcome to the Third Annual 2 BigHearts Foundation Golf Outing.  I want to thank everyone for coming and helping the foundation execute our mission. 

Please enjoy the course, the company of the other attendees and players, the scramble and remember.  Also realize that the 2 BigHearts Foundation has had a significant impact.  And it has had this impact because of you and your generosity.    

In the last two years the 2 BigHearts Foundation, in alignment with the LaPorte Hospital Foundation, has sponsored four free heart screenings for women. The statistical results of these comprehensive screenings has been surprising.  Of the women screened in these four events, 28% had abnormal EKG and a troubling 6.5% of women had abnormal Echo screens.  Several were recommended for immediate medical attention.  398 women in this LaPorte, New Buffalo, Michigan City and surrounding areas now know their heart is their number one health care risk, now know they are free of symptoms or disease, now know they have an abnormality or something more severe.  They know.  Gigi and Sally, who had complete access to health care, had no idea.   

We will continue to have these free screenings.  They are terrific events and working with Maria Fruth and Marcia Vermilye at LaPorte Hospital and Foundation is a wonderful experience. 

This past year the 2 BigHearts, in an effort to expand and grow these free screenings, has initiated discussions with other hospital foundations in the region.  We have had a continuing series of discussions with Dr. Annabelle Volgman of Rush University Hospital in Chicago.  She has agreed to sit on our Board of Advisors.  We have also been discussing working with the St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, IL.  St. James is part of the hospital group that includes St. Anthony’s in Michigan City.  We have begun discussions with Porter Hospital and soon, Memorial Hospital in South Bend.   

Also this past year we added two new board members.  Laurie Farrell and Kevin Murray were elected to an expanded Board.  I look forward to working with them in the future to get the 2 BigHearts to the next level. 

Lastly, I want to recognize a few people who have been most supportive.  I want to thank the 2 BigHearts Board for their continued help and guidance.  I particularly want to thank Migs Murray, Tricia Crepeau, William (Bill) Lenga, Brian Godfrey and his team and Laurie Farrell for essentially putting this event together.   

Enjoy and thanks for your continued support of the 2 BigHearts Foundation. 

Jim Clarke

September 24, 2006