Golf Benefit to Assist Family/Children of Arizona PGA Golf Professional

On Sunday, October 18, 2009, in Sedona, Arizona, a benefit golf event will be held at the Oakcreek Country Club. Golf benefits are common but the purpose of this event is to raise money for PGA Head Professional Gabe Beronja, his wife Cindy and most importantly, for their twin boys Tyler and Zachary, who each have been waging courageous battles for their lives since being born in September of 2007.

All proceeds from the event will be used to pay down the astronomical medical bills that the Beronjas have incurred while keeping their children alive. 

Tyler and Zachary were born nearly four months premature and their lives, to date, have been hard but the fact that they are still alive, is a minor miracle.

On August 28, 2007, during a routine doctor's visit, Cindy was informed that she was already 3-4 centimeters dilated and that Tyler had an umbilical cord pinched above his head.  Additionally, a bulging bag of water was pressing against the child.

Cindy was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix and placed on two weeks of mandatory bed rest. The twins were born on September 9, 2007. Tyler arrived first at 10:56 p.m., entering the world at 1 pound 12 ounces and measuring a little over 12 inches long. Zachary came shortly thereafter at 11:07 p.m. The larger of the pair, he weighed 2 pounds, 2 ounces and was just over 13 inches long.

Since the boys' due date was December 18, 2007, they faced adversity from the beginning.  At just a week into his life, Tyler developed a staph infection and overnight, his body weight soared to over 3 pounds. On more than one occasion, the doctors told the family that they had done “all they could” and that little Tyler would probably not make it through the night. Despite the grim prognosis, Tyler fought for his life and survived the staff infection but has since endured heart, hernia and gland surgeries.

Zachary has also had his share of trials and tribulations.  Ironically, he has also been through heart surgery.  He also has had two stomach surgeries and a tracheotomy. Next up, in spring or summer 2010, is yet another surgery to repair his airway.

To make matter worse, six months ago he was diagnosed with liver cancer.  Doctors removed a grapefruit sized tumor as well as a quarter of his liver.  He currently is undergoing chemotherapy.

Needless to say after all these harrowing incidents and literally months in the hospital, medical bills have mounted. Can you please help?

If you would like to play in the benefit golf event, graciously given by concerned members of the Oakcreek Country Club, please contact the golf shop at 928-284-1660 or 888-284-1660.