New Era Cap Company and the Koch Family will hold the inaugural DCK Memorial Golf Tournament Monday, July 21, at Wanakah Country Club in Hamburg, N.Y. All proceeds from this first-annual event will be donated to the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI).
David C. Koch, former chairman of New Era Cap, affectionately known to many as “DCK,” lost his battle with cancer on Dec. 13, 2002. He was 66 years old.
“Throughout his life, my father was always a fighter, completely dedicated to whatever it was he decided to tackle, both professionally and personally,” said Christopher H. Koch, who was named the company’s CEO in November 2002.
“When he was diagnosed with cancer six years ago, it came as no surprise to anyone that knew him that he would fight gallantly until the end.”
Valerie Koch, David’s wife of 44 years, said a research fund has been established in her late husband’s memory at UPCI to aid researchers there in their own battle to find the cure for cancer.
“The DCK Memorial Fund will directly and immediately support the development of new cancer therapeutics at UPCI,” said Mrs. Koch. “Funds raised will allow for the translation of new biological therapy into clinical trials, including vaccines that may teach patient immune systems to target and attack cancer cells. The vaccines will also help develop treatments using viruses that are modified in the laboratory and taught to hone in on, and kill only cancer cells.”
Sponsorship, registration and donation information is available by contacting Joan Holtz at New Era Cap Company at (716) 549-0445 or joanh@neweracap.com.
A number of executives from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League have already signed up to participate in the event.
