A Historical Journey from it’s inception.
2011 – The Inaugural Sarcoidosis Golf tourney titled as the KISS (Kick in to Stop Sarcoidosis) Golf Tournament. The tournament spearheaded by Tanya Saban was set up to raise funds and awareness for Sarcoidosis Research as her brother Chad Weisgerber had been diagnosed with the inflammatory disease. There was very little in the way of resources, diagnosis or treatment for Sarcoidosis at the time. The tournament was held at the Carstairs Golf Club in Carstairs, AB. The tournament raised over $13,000 dollars and all of the proceeds were donated to the FSR (Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research in the US as there were no National Organizations for Sarcoidosis that could be found in Canada.
FSR RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION FROM 1st ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Chicago, IL (1 November 2011) The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) applauds the efforts of Chad Weisgerber’s friends and family who raised $13,104.57 in his honor to support FSR. The first annual KISS charity golf tournament was held on Sunday, September 18th in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and was attended by 120 of Chad’s friends and family (pictured at right.)
After years of struggling with respiratory issues, Chad Weisgerber was diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis in 2008. In December of 2010 Chad was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis which has affected his motor skills and verbal skills. Although Chad has a Masters Degree in teaching, a BSC and a Professional Project Management certificate, he is no longer able to continue working with EllisDon Corporation, a top rated company in Canada. His positive attitude is an inspiration to all that know him, and they have honored him with their generosity to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research.
2012 – 2nd Annual KISS(Kick in to Stop Sarcoidosis) Golf Tournament – Hosted at the Sirocco Golf Club just South of Calgary past Spruce Meadows on Monday September 17, 2012. The tournament raised over $14,000 dollars and was again donated to the FSR in the US while still searching for a Canadian contingent to work with. The tournament unfortunately became a Memorial Tournament in honor of Chad Weisgerber due to his passing on May 29, 2012 from Sarcoidosis.
2013 – 3rd Annual Golf Tournament renamed to the STAR(Sarcoidosis Treatment Awareness and Research) Charity Golf Classic and again hosted back at the Carstairs Golf Club in Carstairs, AB on Monday September 16, 2013. The third annual Tournament was coordinated by members of the National Sarcoidosis Organization(NSO) board of which Tanya, Cher Weisgerber and Tania Weisgerber became a part of that year. The NSO was located and founded in Sundre, AB by Melanie Sealy. The tournament raised a total of approximately $10,000 dollars for research projects(University of Alberta) and awareness.
2014 – 4th Annual STAR Sarcoidosis Charity Golf Classic – again hosted at Carstairs Golf Club in Carstairs, AB by the National Sarcoidosis Organization. The tournament again raised ~$10,000 for research and awareness.
2015 – 5th Annual Tournament rebranded to the Swing “Fore” Sarcoidosis Golf Tournament hosted by NSO at the Coyote Creek Golf and RV Resort in Sundre, AB on August 28, 2015. The tournament raised approximately $7200 towards Sarcoidosis Awareness and Research.
2016 – 6th Annual “Give Sarcoidosis the Birdie!” Memorial Golf Tournament hosted back at Carstairs Golf Club in Carstairs, AB. The tournament had to be rebranded due to notice of the dissolution of the National Sarcoidosis Organization. As a result a new Canadian Sarcoidosis Organization was formed with many new board members to continue hosting the tournament and promoting awareness and research funding for Sarcoidosis. The tournament was held on August 26, 2016.
2017 – 1st Annual Walk for Sarcoidosis Awareness – 5km walk took place on April 22, 2017 in South Glenmore Park in Calgary, AB. The walk was done in conjunction with the FSR walk for Sarcoidosis for our affiliated counterpart in the US the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. We had 35 people and almost 10 dogs out to join in on the walk.
2017 – 7th Annual “Give Sarcoidosis the Birdie!” Memorial Golf Tournament hosted back again at Carstairs Golf Club in Carstairs, AB by the Canadian Sarcoidosis Organization. The tournament was held on August 25, 2017.
2018 – 2nd Annual “Sarc Walk” – Walk to Support Sarcoidosis. The 5km walk took place on April 14, 2018 and was again held in conjunction with the affiliated FSR walk in the US. The Calgary Tower was lit up in purple for 24hrs in support of the event and we were even able to give away some CSO tee shirts and swag to some of the walkers! We had ~50 people and more than 10 dogs attend the event.
2018 – 8th Annual “Give Sarcoidosis the Birdie!” Memorial Golf Tournament hosted at Apple Creek Golf Course just North of Airdrie, AB by the Canadian Sarcoidosis Organization on September 7, 2018.
2018 – 1st Annual CSO Christmas Pot Luck Dinner – graciously hosted by Tanya Saban, Stacey Jessamine and Cheryl Weisgerber for the entire board and extended family of the CSO board.
2019 – 3rd Annual “Sarc Walk” – Walk to support Sarcoidosis took place in Fish Creek Park in Calgary at the Burnsmead entrance. The walk was 5km total with 2.5km out and then back. Thankfully the weather held out until shortly after the walk when a crazy Calgary snowstorm suddenly blew in a couple hours later.
2019 – 9th Annual “Give Sarcoidosis the Birdie!” Memorial Golf Tournament. Hosted at The Links of Glen Eagles Golf Course in Cochrane, AB on August 23, 2019.
2019 – 2nd Annual CSO Christmas Pot Luck Dinner – graciously hosted by Tanya Saban, Stacey Jessamine and Cheryl Weisgerber for the entire board and extended family of the CSO board.
2020 – 4th Annual “Sarc Walk” – !
2021 – Stuff happened around the world…
2022 – 10th Anniversary Annual Memorial “Give Sarcoidosis the Birdie!” Golf Tournament. Hosted at Glen Eagles Cochrane, AB on August 19th, 2022.
2022 – 5th (Almost)Annual “Sarc Walk” at Fish Creek park
2023 – 11th Annual Memorial “Give Sarcoidosis the Birdie!” Golf Tournament. Hosted at Rivers’s Edge Golf Club in Okotoks, AB on August 25th, 2023.
2023 – 6th Annual “Sarc Walk” was again held at Fish Creek Park with Dogs welcome for the walk. A great turnout and very successful day of raising awareness.