Duke Cancer Center has signed on as an Diamond sponsor for this year’s Devil’s Ridge Charity Golf Classic, scheduled for Wednesday, September 23 at the Devils Ridge Golf Country Club in Holly Springs. “We’re appreciative of the support of cancer care leaders in our community,” notes David Labrecque prostate survivor and tournament director. “It takes a dedicated team effort to raise the awareness of prostate cancer and to make sure that men fully understand their risks and the importance of testing. It also takes innovation in care, and we are fortunate to have Duke in our community.”

The Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center became one of the nation’s first cancer centers to be established in December 1971 with the passage of the National Cancer Act. Congress authorized federal funding to build 15 cancer centers nationwide. Four cancer centers already existed, and funding was added to enhance their programs. In 1973, the Duke Cancer Center was designated a "comprehensive" cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. Today, Duke is one of only 41 comprehensive cancer centers nationwide. The "comprehensive" status recognizes centers for excellence in research and for other contributions in the areas of clinical trials, prevention and control efforts, information and educational offerings, and outreach and service activities. The Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center’s more than 350 physicians and scientists research all aspects of cancer biology and treatment.

At Duke, patients receive outstanding multidisciplinary care for all types of cancer. Physicians, scientists, nurses, and other health care professionals work together to provide individualized treatment plans for patients, and patients and their families receive psychosocial and educational support and assistance from Duke's many support programs and from a group of dedicated volunteers.

The prostate cancer program offers men diagnosed with prostate cancer the latest treatment options, including hormone therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, internal radioactive therapy, and cryosurgery (freezing of the tumor). Additionally Duke offers the latest techniques available to help prostate cancer patients maintain or restore as much of their sexual functioning as is medically possible.

Last year, there were more than 7,600 inpatient admissions to Duke Hospital for cancer care, with 30 percent of these patients coming from outside North Carolina. Cancer patients make more than 120,000 visits to Duke's outpatient clinics each year.

The Devils Ridge Charity Golf Classic is limited to 128 golfers’; individual, couple and foursome registrations will be accepted. The $85 entry fee will entitle the participant to a continental breakfast, range balls, golf, cart, beverages, a delicious lunch and entry into hole-in-one contests that include winning a new Mercedes. The tournament will begin with sign-in and breakfast starting at 7:45 and a shotgun start at 9:00 AM. Format will be a scramble, with prizes for team low net scores in three different flights with total prize value being $1800. There will be prizes for other contests as well (i.e., a lucrative putting contest, closest to the pin; best drive).

Registration forms are available online (www.devilsridgecc.com), or contact David Labrecque @ (919) 349-0711