Since the Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope inception in 2003, we've invested more than $1 million for advanced breast cancer research.

Marilyn B. Gula founded the Mountains of Hope Foundation eight years ago as a means to raise funds for advanced stage breast cancer, providing hope for women and their families who receive the dismal diagnosis. She lost her 10-year battle to breast cancer on July 26, 2006.

Marilyn's husband, co-founder and CEO of Mountains of Hope, Allen J. Gula, Jr. carried on his wife's legacy by renaming the organization in her honor and continuing her vision to “give every woman with Advanced Breast Cancer a fighting chance.”

This year alone, we've invested $75,000 at Phoenix-based TGen and $60,000 at the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Ohio. The funds were raised at the fourth annual Golf for a Cure event at the Shaker Heights Country Club in Ohio and Cookin' for a Cure at Eddie's House in Scottsdale, respectively.

In total we've hosted 10 events in Arizona, Northern California and Ohio since we began in 2003. We've invested in Advanced Breast Cancer Projects at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York, UCSF in San Francisco along with TGen and University Hospitals. Al is not alone in his endeavor to find a cure for the terrible disease. He has had the overwhelming support of sponsors, donors, volunteers, committee members and friends to help achieve the organization's accomplishments.

"My heartfelt thanks to each person. The Foundation cannot accomplish its mission of investing in advanced breast cancer research without everyone's continued support. I'm extremely grateful," he said.

For the second year in the event's four-year history, Golf for a Cure teed off at Shaker Heights Country Club in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Always unpredictable in the Cleveland area, the weather injected an hour rain delay in what would have been a perfect golf day weather-wise.

Weather notwithstanding, Shaker provided a picture-perfect backdrop for the golfers. A brand new Cadillac donated by Crestmont Cadillac was driven on the course as incentive for the golfer fortunate enough to score a hole-in-one on the designated hole. However, none of the golfers succeeded, and the luxury vehicle was returned to the Crestmont showroom unclaimed.

At the end of the day, returning golfers and other guests convened in the Shaker clubhouse to enjoy music by Rich Maurer and the tropical sound of "Shades of Steel" while looking over the various raffle and auction items assembled for both silent and live bidding.

The top two foursomes were recognized and applauded:

• First place – For the second year, Scott Mawaka of Fleet Resources, took first place with a score of 63. In his foursome were Tom Tonozzi, Mark Genger and Mark Wearsch.
• Second place – Newcomers to the outing, Kevin O'Brien of Artemis Wealth Partners, and his team - Joe Fragapane, Tom Grady and Jim Pokorny - placed second with a score of 66.

In addition, special proxy awards were given for individual hole events:

• Straightest Drive – Women #1 – Maura May
• Straightest Drive – Men #2 – Bill McFadden
• Closest to the Pin #4 – Men – Scott Strano
• Shortest Drive – Women #8 – Dawn Heidinger
• Long Drive in Fairway – Women #13 – Dawn Heidinger
• Closest to the Pin – Women #16 – Nancy Griffith
• Longest Drive in Fairway – Men #17 – Ray McNeice

The generosity of many vendors and individuals allowed us to offer 14 exciting gift packages for silent auction, ranging from golf packages from local courses, to an extravagant coffee basket, Night on the Town package, Build a Bar and Cocktail tubs, a carpet, a fur scarf, and several exclusive signed sports items, appealing to a variety of tastes.

This year, Cleveland Indians Vice President, Public Relations, Bob DiBiasio, served as Master of Ceremonies for the live auction, assisted by Dan Kilday of the Cleveland Indians marketing department. The live auction included eight autographed sports memorabilia, an IPad2 basket, private tour of the Cleveland Museum of Art and a weekend get-away package.

The last order of the day was to secure Shaker Heights Country Club for the 2012 Golf for a Cure outing, which will be held on June 14, 2012. Mark your calendars!

However, most important: Now that the results are tallied, we are pleased to announce that the Foundation will be donating $60,000 to the Miracle Fund at University Hospitals in support of advanced metastatic breast cancer research!! We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the event.

Our thanks must first go to Ned Hyland and the Miracle Fund at University Hospitals, who joined us in sponsoring the event, and to:

Our top-tier Presenting Sponsors:

• Cliffs Natural Resources
• Jacobs Investments, Inc.

Our Birdie Sponsors:

• Ned Hyland
• John and Ann O'Neill Powers Foundation

Our Luncheon Sponsor, The Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation

Our "Friend of the Foundation" Sponsors:

• Babcock & Wasserman Co LPA
• Allen J. "Chip" Corlett
• Metallic Resources
• Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co LPA
• Fleet Response
• Artemis Wealth Partners LLC
• Hahn, Loeser and Parks
• KeyBank NA

And to our many foursome and hole sponsors, individual golfers, auction and raffle item donors, and the friends who contributed through their presence and financial support.

Finally, a big thank you to the many volunteers who gave so many hours of their time to ensure the high quality and professionalism of the event: Event Chair, Tony Anselmo, Shannon Burke of University Hospitals, Annette Paul, Gina Fatica, Nate Taylor, Jackie Anselmo, Dolores Stansfield, Dan Kilday, Rose Mary Blessing, Barb Lazor, Pat Leonard, and Debbie Tylicki.

With gratitude,

Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman & CEO

This year's Golf for a Cure was very successful! Participants enjoyed a great golf tournament, enjoyed delicious food and the Shaker Heights Country Club course was in wonderful condition. Thanks to all who attended, including event Chair and Co-Chair Tony Anselmo and Annette Paul who, along with volunteer staff, helped the event to be a hit.

Photos from the event and the fundraising results will be available soon!

SAVE THE DATE! This event sold out FAST! So be sure next year to sign up early. Mark Thursday, June 14, 2012 on your calendar for the next Golf for a Cure event.

Many thanks to our sponsors for helping us make this event possible!

Event Sponsors

JACOBS INVESTMENTS

Birdie Sponsors

John K & Alice O'Neill Powers Foundation

Ned Hyland - Todd Associates

Luncheon Sponsor

Allen J. Gula, Jr.

Friends of the Foundation Sponsors

Artemis Wealth Partners

Babcock & Wasserman Co. LPA

Chip Corlett & Pam Demuth - Metals, Inc.

KeyBank N.A.

Miceli Dairy Products

Scott Mawaka - Fleet Response

William & Nancy Griffith Metallic Resources

Hole Sponsors

EnviroServe

Lachina Publishing Services

Mary L. Synk

Motorcars

Victor V. Anselmo, Esq.

Special Recognition

Allyn Pytel

Bill & Ann Barry

Crestmont Cadillac

Dan Kilday

Dave Zupan - Visium Resources

Deb Periotti

Jackie Leavenworth Seminars

Jerry Porath

Rose Mary Blessing

The Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation takes its name from its founder, Marilyn Barry Gula, and her dedication to providing "hope" to women suffering with advanced breast cancer.

Dear Friends of the Foundation:

As we reflect on 2010, it has been a year of quiet growth for the Foundation. Despite the tough economic climate, the Foundation has been able to make significant contributions to advanced breast cancer research.

The third annual Golf for a Cure outing moved to Shaker Country Club in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, where we partnered with the Miracle Fund of University Hospitals to broaden the scope of the outing. The event sold out in advance of the June 17th date, and netted $60,000, which was in turn invested in the Miracle Fund at Ireland Cancer Center (at University Hospitals). This was the most successful Golf for a Cure to date, and we look forward to even more success in 2011 when once again we will host the event at Shaker Country Club on Thursday, June 18.